The promoter of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Umar Ardo, has said he had warned the immediate past governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, against aligning with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
But the party’s legal troubles are far from over with the reported involvement of the two politicians, Ardo said, reports said.
He spoke Thursday on the Morning Show of Arise Television.
Ardo said he opposed the registration of the NDC by the Independent National Electoral Commission long before Obi and Kwankwaso’s supposed interest in the party.
He said he openly opposed the registration shortly after it was announced by INEC on February 6.
“One day after INEC announced the registration of NDC, I was here in your studio. I was against it on the 6th of February. So it is not about Peter Obi.
“It’s not good at all. What had I to do with Obi? “What business did I have with Kwankwaso?” he asked.
“When I found out alleged irregularities surrounding the party, I contacted associates close to Obi to warn him against joining the NDC,” Ardo said.
He also said that he met Kwankwaso personally and then called him shortly before his alleged movement 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 all those who have been close to Obi 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. I even phoned him a day or two before they moved in. I told him these are the problems this NDC is facing but they refused. “They went in and went in,” he said.
Ardo said the involvement of Obi and Kwankwaso has not changed the legal issues of the NDC.
“So the fact that they entered does not mean that it has changed the situation. “It’s no worse than it’s always been,” he said.
He said his opposition was meant to prevent what he called a national fraud.
I have no motive whatsoever, other than to stop, you know, a national fraud on the country. You can’t come this way and expect people to vote for you,” “Ardo said.
