NNPP Accuses INEC Of Defying Court Orders, Warns New Chairman Amupitan

NNPP Accuses INEC Of Defying Court Orders, Warns New Chairman Amupita

By Frank Odinukaeze 

A fresh wave of controversy has emerged within the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) as the party led by its Secretary-General, Comrade Oginni Olaposi, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of allegedly disregarding court rulings and enabling what it described as “illegal activities” within the party.

Addressing journalists at a world press conference on Tuesday, Olaposi said the conduct of some INEC officials posed a “threat to democracy” and undermined the rule of law. He argued that Nigeria’s democratic development remains stunted because of “systemic corruption” and “disobedience to judicial pronouncements” within the electoral system.

According to him, the NNPP’s internal leadership crisis has been worsened by INEC’s alleged refusal to recognise two separate judgments which he said affirmed the leadership of Dr. Agbo Major Gilbert and himself as Secretary-General.

Olaposi claimed that despite these judgments, a group loyal to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, continued to issue directives to INEC and plan purported congresses and conventions. He further alleged that some unnamed INEC officials held meetings with the faction he described as “illegal,” a development he said contravened established court decisions.

He also warned the newly appointed INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to be vigilant, alleging a pattern of “intimidation, blackmail and compromise” within the commission. He said a pending judicial review before an FCT High Court seeks to compel INEC to explain its alleged non-compliance with earlier judgments.

Olaposi also raised concerns over what he described as the possibility of political collaboration between Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Kwankwaso. He argued that Kwankwaso and members of the former NNPP National Working Committee were expelled after the last election — a decision he said was “affirmed by competent courts” — and therefore should not be recognised by other political actors or INEC.

The Major Agbo led NNPP said it would hold INEC in contempt if the commission recognizes any congresses or conventions allegedly convened by the Kwankwaso-led group.