Federal High Court to Hear NNPP’s Case Against Kwankwaso’s Faction

Federal High Court to Hear NNPP’s Case Against Kwankwaso’s Faction
…….as Party orders members to Shun planned Congress / convention by Kwakwanso led faction

By Frank Odinukaeze

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has taken legal action to halt an alleged illegal national convention planned by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s faction of the party. In a court document with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/327/2024, the NNPP accuses Kwankwaso’s faction, led by Abba Kawu and Dipo Olayoku, of attempting to sabotage its activities and hijack the NNPP leadership. The faction is reportedly planning a convention between March 23 and 26.

The NNPP Board of Trustees, led by Dr. Temitope Aluko, insists that Kawu and Olayoku remain expelled and their National Working Committee dissolved according to the NNPP constitution. The suit emphasizes that Kawu and Olayoku are no longer qualified to exercise the power of National Chairman and National Secretary due to their expulsion and dissolution of the NWC they supervised. The NNPP’s record clearly shows that these two expelled officers are acting beyond their authority.

Furthermore, the NNPP’s lawyer, Monday Mawah, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard the “notice of Congress/Convention hurriedly rescheduled for March 23rd to March 26 by the illegal NWC led by Kawu/Olayoku.” Mawah urges INEC to remain neutral and avoid involvement in the planned illegal convention until the court determines the matter.
ABDULSALAM Abdulrazaq
National Public Relations Secretary NNPP,who signed this press statement noted that the Federal High Court Abuja has fixed April 16 for the hearing date of the matter before Hon. Justice Obiora Egwuatu and INEC has been duly served by The Court Bailiff on Friday 28th of March,2024.
The statement further notes,that by the effective Service of the Suit before Hon. Justice Obiora Egwuatu on INEC on Friday the 28th, of March,further causes serious set back for Kwankwaso’s Group for the third time in a row, because INEC as a Neutral and Unbiased Commission by its tradition may decide not to participate in any NNPP’s factional Congress/Convention until all litigations, most especially on Congresses and Convention are put to rest.
The statement added that the National Secretary, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday has revealed that INEC has declined participation in Kwankwaso’s Group proposed Congress/Convention in the last two weeks due to encumbrance from Court cases.
” It’s however, obvious that INEC will likely excuse itself from internal crisis of NNPP by neutrality until the determination of the matter before Hon. Justice Obiora Egwuatu.” the statement affirmed.
Recognizing the fact that the internal Leadership crisis in New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) may eventually create a Vacuum, a group known as Nigerian Youth for New Nigeria has demanded in a communique over the weekend,that the Founder of NNPP, Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam who by the Constitution of the Party is the Life Member of the Board of Trustees to take over the Leadership and Administration of the Party to forestall any unforseen and avoidable breach of Peace .
The NY4NN made it clear that,” The Board of Trustees in time of Internal crisis and wrangling should live above board and ensure that every thing possible is done to salvage the party from total collapse.”
As the legal battle unfolds, INEC’s role remains crucial in maintaining impartiality and ensuring a fair resolution for the NNPP’s internal crisis. The Federal High Court Abuja has fixed April 16 for the hearing date of the matter before Hon. Justice Obiora Egwuatu, and INEC’s decision will be closely watched by all parties involved.
Meanwhile ,Nigerians eagerly await the final outcome of this legal drama in the Nigeria political landscape