Ardo, who contested under the Social Democratic Party, revealed that he had strongly cautioned key actors in the opposition coalition against fusing into the ADC, describing the move as a “booby trap” that has now triggered a legitimacy crisis.
Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH, he explained: “When this coalition was formed, I wasn’t part of it. Subsequently, we held a meeting with the coalition leadership, and I was invited. They came up with the idea of fusing with another political party, which I took objection to. I said the best way to approach this transitional election was to register a new political party with a candidate in mind.”
He drew from his experience in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2015 elections, where he played a role in convincing former President Muhammadu Buhari to re-enter politics after his 2011 defeat. Ardo claimed he advised Buhari to register a new party and take Tinubu as running mate, a strategy he believes was key to Buhari’s victory.
Ardo insisted that if the current coalition had listened and supported the formation of the All Democratic Alliance instead of adopting the ADC, they would not be facing the current hurdles over leadership and structure.
The ADC has been embroiled in a deepening leadership crisis in recent weeks following attempts by opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, to adopt the party as a coalition platform for the 2027 general elections. Multiple factions are now laying claim to the party’s leadership.
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