The promoter of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Umar Ardo, has said he warned former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, against aligning with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Ardo said the party’s legal troubles remained unresolved despite the reported involvement of the two politicians.
He spoke on Thursday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show.
Ardo said his opposition to the registration of the NDC by the Independent National Electoral Commission predated Obi and Kwankwaso’s reported interest in the party.
He said he publicly opposed the registration shortly after INEC announced it on February 6.
“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.
“It is not good at all whatsoever. What was my business with Obi? What was my business with Kwankwaso?” he said.
Ardo said after discovering alleged irregularities surrounding the party, he contacted associates close to Obi to warn him against joining the NDC.
He also said he had met Kwankwaso in person and later called him shortly before his alleged move to the party.
“And when I had these facts, I communicated to, I don’t have Peter Obi’s line to discuss with him directly, but I communicated to all those who have been close to Obi, telling them to tell him that if they are considering going to another political party, there are other political parties to go in, not NDC, because this is the problem NDC is facing.
“And I sat down with Kwankwaso, and I told him. And I also called him a day or two before they moved in. I also told him that these are the problems that this NDC is facing, but they refused. They went and entered,” he said.
Ardo maintained that the involvement of Obi and Kwankwaso had not changed the legal issues surrounding the NDC.
“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.
He added that his opposition was aimed at stopping what he described as a national fraud.
“So I have no motive whatsoever other than to stop, you know, a national fraud on the country. You cannot come through this way and expect people to vote for you,” Ardo stated.