The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of undue interference and partiality in its ongoing internal leadership crisis.
The accusation follows the attendance of INEC officials at a convention organized by a faction of the party, despite a court notice challenging the event.
The NNPP leadership crisis erupted post-2023 general elections, leading to the expulsion of its presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, by the party’s Board of Trustees headed by Boniface Aniebonam.
The expulsion was allegedly due to anti-party activities, specifically Kwankwaso’s visit to President Bola Tinubu, which fueled speculations about him seeking a ministerial position.
In retaliation, the Kwankwaso faction, which includes the Kwankwasiya movement, expelled the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Major Gilbert Agbo, and suspended Aniebonam. Agbo has since become the factional chairman.
Although Justice Usman Mallam Na’abba of the Kano State High Court overturned Kwankwaso’s suspension, the internal conflict persisted.
On April 6, 2024, the Kwankwaso-led faction held a national convention in Abuja, where Ajuji Ahmed was confirmed as the acting national chairman.
Following this, the Agbo-led faction suspended Kano State Governor Kabir Yusuf for six months on April 16, 2024, citing his non-appearance before a disciplinary committee.
This faction has accused INEC of colluding with the Kwankwaso group, evidenced by INEC officials attending the contested Abuja convention.
In a statement released by NNPP National Secretary Oginni Olaposi and Publicity Secretary Abdulsalam AbdulRazaq, the party demanded that INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu investigate and discipline the involved staff.
The NNPP cited court rulings, including those from the Supreme Court, affirming the rights of parties to self-regulate.
The NNPP stated the need for INEC to facilitate dispute resolution rather than taking sides. The party has approached the Court of Appeal for clarity on resolving its internal crisis and reaffirmed its stance against INEC’s involvement in what they consider an illegal convention.
