New party, new crisis: Obi and Kwankwaso soon hit the storm in NDC

… The legal battle threatens the party’s legitimacy

… Internal fractures are deepening between states

… The leadership tussle extends to Kano in the south-west

Daud Olatunji

Barely 24 hours after their high-profile defection to the Democratic Congress of Nigeria, former presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Kano Rabiu state governor Musa Kwankwaso have been engulfed in a wave of crises that threaten the stability and credibility of their new political platform.

PLATFORM TIMES investigations reveal that the party is already battling a combination of legal disputes, internal disputes and trust deficits in key regions, casting doubt on its preparedness as a formidable opposition force ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Legal battle over registration

At the heart of the ongoing unrest is a deepening dispute over the legitimacy of the party’s registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The All Democratic Alliance, one of the political associations that applied for registration, vowed to challenge the process in court, arguing that the NDC did not meet the legal requirements.

A senior figure in the ADA, Umar Ardo, has accused INEC of deviating from its guidelines by registering a party that allegedly neither completed formal application procedures nor participated in the 2025 screening exercise involving over 170 associations.

Ardo described the development as “irregular” and “politically influenced”, revealing that his group had decided to appeal against the ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja forcing INEC to register the NDC.

He argued that while the ADA met all requirements, including opening offices nationwide and submitting the necessary documentation, his claim remained unresolved for months, unlike the NDC’s case, which was decided within 32 days.

“This level of inconsistency undermines the integrity of the election process,” he said, noting that the association has invested nearly $200 million in the process.

Dickson denies the accusations

In a swift response, former Bayelsa State governor and NDC leader, Seriake Dickson, dismissed the allegations, insisting that the party followed due process.

Dickson released a 2017 confirmation letter from INEC, indicating that the commission had previously received and accepted the party’s application, confirming that the proposed name met constitutional requirements.

According to him, the party only updated its previous application when registration resumed, dismissing the criticism as “propaganda, gossip and blackmail”.

He urged Nigerians to ignore the controversy and support the party’s mission to rebuild the country.

Kano crisis over Kwankwaso entry

Beyond the legal dispute, internal cracks have emerged in Kano state, where party leaders have openly resisted Kwankwaso’s alleged influence.

NDC state chairperson Usaini Isa Mai Riga has accused the former governor of attempting to take control of the party structure, warning that such a move would be resisted.

“He wants us to hand over the entire party despite our sacrifices. That won’t happen,” Mai Riga said.

He also revealed that a scheduled state convention was suddenly suspended, allegedly to accommodate the entry of Kwankwaso, an action he described as unfair and unacceptable.

As of this writing, efforts to get Kwankwaso’s reaction have been unsuccessful.

The reaction of the south-west follows the Obi camp

Tensions over the composition of the party leadership are also growing in the South West, with Obi supporters calling for the resignation of NDC zonal chairman Dayo Ekong.

Ekong, a former Labor Party leader, has been accused by several Obi loyalists of acting against his political interests during the 2023 elections.

Critics have argued that his continued leadership role could undermine the party’s credibility and unity, warning against a repeat of past policy failures.

The development highlights a growing distrust within the party’s base, which is central to its mobilization efforts.

Uncertain path for the new opposition bloc

The convergence of legal disputes, leadership clashes and internal dissent represents an early test for the NDC, widely projected as a potential third force platform.

Political observers warn that the ongoing crises could weaken the momentum generated by the entry of Obi and Kwankwaso, both influential figures with significant regional followings.

With a looming court battle, unresolved structural conflicts and lingering questions about its formation, the party faces a daunting challenge in consolidating its base and presenting a united front.

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