Leadership Tussle: NNPP Threatens Contempt Proceedings against INEC Chairman over alleged Disobedience of Court Orders
Leadership Tussle: NNPP Threatens Contempt Proceedings Against INEC Chairman Over Alleged Disobedience of Court Orders
By Babatunde Aremu
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, of defying multiple court orders on the party’s leadership dispute and warned that he risks committal to jail for contempt.
According to a statement on Wednesday by NNPP Secretary-General, Comrade Ogini Olaposi, the party’s legal team met with the INEC chairman behind closed doors on Tuesday but left without resolution.
NNPP says its authentic leadership is the Dr. Boniface Aniebonam-led Board of Trustees and Dr. Agbo Major-led National Working Committee (NWC). The party claims this structure has been upheld in judgments by the Abia State High Court, FCT High Court, and the Owerri Court of Appeal, all delivered against the Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso faction.
Olaposi cited a mandamus order compelling INEC to upload the Major-led NWC and the party’s original logo and color within 72 hours and to file an affidavit of compliance. He also referenced a follow-up order from the Owerri Appeal Court led by Justice Ntong Ntong. He alleges Prof. Amupitan has refused to comply with both.
The NNPP lawyer reportedly walked the INEC chairman through the judgments, but Prof. Amupitan “could not give any valid reason” for the commission’s inaction and only said “we shall hear from him.”
NNPP says it will pursue “every lawful means” including a judicial review for contempt of court. It also plans to seek an extension of the INEC 2027 election timetable to avoid being excluded from participation.
The party called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly leadership, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Attorney General, and the Inspector General of Police to take note of Prof. Amupitan’s actions, saying it undermines the rule of law and the “Renewed Hope” agenda.
Olaposi added that NNPP had shelved a planned protest to avoid it being hijacked by hoodlums.
The NNPP has been split since 2023 between the Kwankwaso-led faction and the Aniebonam/Major faction. INEC’s refusal to recognize the Major-led NWC has stalled the party’s ability to upload candidates and use its official logo on the commission’s portal — a critical issue ahead of the 2027 polls.
