Umar Ardo, NDC, says he warned of the bad situation while blasting Peter Obi and Kwankwaso

The promoter of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Umar Ardo, revealed that he had warned former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Kano State governor Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso against joining the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). Ardo said the party’s legal problems were still unresolved.

Ardo made the statement during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday.

He explained that his opposition to the NDC’s registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) began before Obi and Kwankwaso expressed interest in the party.

Ardo said he publicly opposed the registration shortly after INEC announced it on 6 February, emphasizing that his stance was unrelated to either politician.

After uncovering what he described as irregularities within the NDC, Ardo reached out to associates close to Obi to caution him against joining the party, suggesting that other political platforms were available.

He also disclosed that he met personally with Kwankwaso and contacted him a day or two before the alleged move to the NDC, informing him of the party’s issues.

Despite the warnings, Ardo said both politicians proceeded with their involvement in the NDC, noting that their entry had not altered the situation.

“A day after INEC announced NDC’s registration, I was here in your studio. I was opposing it on the 6th of February. So it is not about Peter Obi,” Ardo said.

“It is not good at all whatsoever. What was my business with Obi? What was my business with Kwankwaso?” he added.

“When I had these facts, I communicated to those close to Obi, telling them to let him know that if he is considering another political party, there are other options besides NDC, because this is the problem NDC is facing,” Ardo continued.

“I sat down with Kwankwaso and told him. I also called him a day or two before they moved in. I explained the problems facing NDC, but they refused. They entered.”

“So the fact that they entered doesn’t mean that it has changed the situation. The situation is as bad as it has always been,” he said.

“I have no motive whatsoever other than to stop a national fraud on the country. You cannot come through this way and expect people to vote for you.”