Kwankwaso Factions protest dismissal of suit against NNPP leadership

The leadership dispute of the New Nigeria People’s Party Party took a new turn on Thursday when the National Capital Territory High Court dismissed a suit filed by a faction loyal to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. The suit was filed to challenge the legitimacy of the current party leadership led by party founder Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and federal chairman Dr. Agbo Major.

The suit, filed by Ahmed Ajuji and 20 others, seeks to remove the powers of the NNPP Board and Governing Council, including the Federal Secretary of the NNPP Parliamentary Caucus, Oginni Olaposi, the Federal Vice Chairman, Chief Felix Chukwurah and lawyer Tony Obioha.

The plaintiffs asked the court to restrain the officials from holding meetings, calling congresses and presiding over party conventions on the grounds that they had been expelled from the NNPP.

However, Justice M. A. Hassan ruled that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the case, reiterating that intra-party disputes, such as leadership and membership issues, cannot be resolved through litigation.

“As affirmed by this court Appeal and the Supreme Court, the legal position is clear: courts will not adjudicate matters involving the internal affairs of political parties, except in cases involving the nomination of candidates for elections,” Justice Hassan explained.

In its judgment, the court dismissed all appeals by the plaintiffs, thereby confirming that the leadership of the NNPP, led by Agbo Major, remains the legal authority over the affairs of the party.

Thursday’s ruling upheld a previous judgment of the Abia State High Court on November 1, 2024 (Case No. HUZ/11/2024), which ordered the reinstatement of the NNPP Board of Directors chaired by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam.

The ruling also confirmed the legitimacy of the party congress and national conference that elected the current leaders.

Speaking to journalists at Abuja the defendants’ lawyer, Segun Fiki, welcomed the verdict and said the case was an attempt to seize the party leadership through the backdoor.

Fiki stressed that the court’s verdict confirmed the legitimate management of the NPP under Major and Aniebonam.

“The court has made it clear that the matter is not within the jurisdiction. The legitimate leadership of the NPP has been confirmed and we now look forward to the Independent Electoral Commission of Niger to formally recognize and work with the legitimately elected officials of the party,” he said.

The Kwankwasiyyan Movement subsequently accused Major and Aniebonam of deceiving the public.

In a telephone interview with The PidomNigeria, the spokesperson of the Parliament, Ladipo Johnson, said the verdict was misunderstood and distorted by the founders and their executives.

He said: “We will make a statement on this very soon. First of all, this lawsuit is not about Major, Anibonen or anyone else. It is about some people abusing the name of our party.”

“But the judge said – wrongly, in my opinion – that this is an internal party matter. So if someone says I am incompetent, does that amount to confirming Major’s appointment? You are just distorting the facts.”