Ardo: APC gains more from splitting opposition NDC and ADC

Actor politician and promoter of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Dr Umar Ardo, has warned that the ongoing restructuring within the ranks of the Nigerian opposition, particularly the emergence of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) alongside the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is likely to strengthen the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ardo stated this on Tuesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs program on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, where he argued that Nigeria’s election results are increasingly influenced by the fragmentation of the opposition rather than the inherent strength of the ruling party.

His comments followed the defection of former high profile presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso to the NDC on May 3, 2026, after leaving the struggling ADC. The two were received at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja by President Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe and national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, and described the move as a strategic effort to ensure a more stable and “dispute-free” platform ahead of 2027.

The development has since sparked controversy, with legal and political debates over the legitimacy and registration status of the NDC.

However, Ardo insisted that the creation of new political formations, rather than strengthening the opposition, ultimately consolidates the electoral advantage for the APC.

“Who benefits from this fragmentation? It’s the ruling party,” he said, arguing that divided opposition votes have historically weakened challengers at the polls.

He referred to the 2023 general election, where divided opposition support between parties contributed to the final result, warning that a similar scenario could repeat itself in 2027.

“In 2023 we had APC, PDP and Labor. Now we are moving to APC, ADC and NDC,” he said, adding that such dispersion of political forces consistently favors incumbents.

According to him, Nigeria is gradually sliding towards a recurrent three-bloc electoral structure which risks entrenching imbalance if opposition unity remains elusive.

Ardo also questioned the timing and procedural legitimacy of emerging political arrangements, stressing that institutional processes must not be compromised for political expediency. He argued that his position is driven by concern for democratic stability rather than personal ambition.

Reiterating his position, he said he had previously challenged the recognition of the NDC by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through public comments and legal action, insisting that due process must guide the formation and recognition of the party.

“I have opposed it from day one. I have looked at the courts and the media. This is about due process,” he said.

Ardo further disclosed that he had engaged key political players involved in the new alignment, including Kwankwaso, advising caution and urging thorough due diligence before proceeding with the political merger.

He said, however, that despite initial assurances, the process continued without addressing the concerns he raised.

The ADA’s sponsor warned that allowing such precedents to continue could weaken institutional safeguards governing political party formation and electoral competition.

He also expressed concern about what he described as inconsistencies in the judicial handling of political disputes, warning that such perceptions could erode public trust in democratic institutions.

Ardo argued that the central issue is the long-term integrity of Nigeria’s democratic system, not individual political ambition, warning that continued fragmentation of the opposition could exacerbate institutional vulnerability.

“If the opposition continues to fragment while institutions appear inconsistent, then the system itself becomes vulnerable,” he warned.

He urged political stakeholders to critically examine emerging alliances and consider who will benefit most from ongoing realignments, insisting that democratic credibility depends on both the rule of law and public trust in fairness.

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