Political actor and promoter of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Umar Ardo, has warned that the growing fragmentation within Nigeria’s opposition political space is ultimately strengthening the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle FM, Ogun State, Ardo argued that the emergence of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) alongside the broader opposition coalition around the African Democratic Congress (ADC) could weaken opposition unity and consolidate the ruling party’s advantage.
Ardo maintained that political outcomes in Nigeria are often shaped more by opposition division than by the strength of any individual party.
“Who is the major beneficiary? It is the ruling party,” he stated.
According to him, the present political realignment mirrors the pattern witnessed during the 2023 elections, where opposition votes were divided among multiple parties.
“We are just going back to exactly what happened in 2023. In 2023 it was PDP, Labour and APC. In 2027 it will be APC, ADC and NDC,” he said.
He argued that such fragmentation could once again make victory easier for the incumbent party.
The comments follow the recent defection of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to the Nigerian
The duo were formally received at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja by party chairman Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe and national leader Seriake Dickson.
The development has since triggered widespread political debate, with analysts drawing comparisons to the opposition’s divided outing during the 2023 elections.
Ardo insisted that regardless of intentions, the effect of the new alignment favours the ruling establishment.
“Whether intentional or not, the question remains: who benefits? In politics, impact matters more than intention,” he argued.
The ADA promoter also raised concerns about the legal and procedural basis of the NDC’s recognition.
He disclosed that he had challenged the process immediately after the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that his objections predated the recent political defections.
According to him, he appeared on several media platforms and initiated legal steps questioning the legitimacy of the registration process.
“I challenged INEC the day after the announcement. I went on television and also approached the court because due process must be respected,” he said.
Ardo warned that bypassing established legal procedures in party formation could weaken democratic institutions and create dangerous precedents.
He further revealed that he personally contacted some political actors involved in the emerging coalition, including Kwankwaso, urging them to conduct “strong due diligence” before aligning with the NDC.
According to him, his warnings were not acted upon before the public announcements were made.
“You cannot sacrifice due process for friendship,” he added.
Ardo maintained that his position is not driven by political loyalty but by concern over institutional integrity and democratic balance.
Warning Against Institutional Erosion
The political figure stressed that public confidence in democratic institutions could erode if legal and electoral processes are perceived as inconsistent or selectively applied.
He argued that regulatory bodies and the judiciary must avoid actions capable of creating the impression that compliance standards differ depending on political influence.
“Truth matters in institutional survival,” he stated.
Ardo concluded by urging Nigerians to critically examine political developments beyond surface narratives, insisting that the long-term stability of democracy depends on strict adherence to due process and institutional credibility.
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