NNPP accuses INEC Chairman of Disobeying Court orders, Warns of Risk to 2027 Election Timetable
NNPP Accuses INEC Chairman of Disobeying Court Orders, Warns of Risk to 2027 Election Timetable
By Babatunde Aremu
The New Nigeria Peoples Party has accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, of disobeying court orders, warning that the action could disrupt the timetable for the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued Thursday in Lagos, NNPP Secretary General Comrade Ogini Olaposi said a contempt proceeding is pending against Amupitan before Justice Bello Kawu of the FCT High Court, Abuja.
Olaposi said Amupitan was served with Forms 48, 49 and a notice of hearing for the court sitting on 13 May 2026 but did not appear in person. Instead, he sent a representative from INEC’s litigation department.
According to the statement, when asked why the INEC chairman had not complied with the court order, the representative cited “administrative procedures” within the commission. Justice Kawu reportedly asked counsel to clarify whether administrative procedures take precedence over a compelling court order, and adjourned the matter to 19 May 2026 to allow Amupitan a fair hearing.
Olaposi said the court noted that proof of service of Forms 48, 49 and the hearing notice was on record.
The NNPP also linked the issue to its internal leadership dispute with Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Olaposi alleged that Kwankwaso had boasted of rendering the party “useless” if not allowed to use it with Peter Obi for the 2027 elections, and suggested Amupitan may be acting as an instrument to disadvantage NNPP.
He cited rulings by the Abia State High Court, FCT High Court and the Court of Appeal Owerri which, he said, confirmed Dr. Boniface Aniebonam as the authentic NNPP leader and ordered INEC to restore the party’s original logo and upload the Dr. Agbo Major-led National Working Committee to its server.
Olaposi said the FCT High Court had given INEC 72 hours to upload NNPP to its server and 14 days to file an affidavit of compliance, but claimed that two months later, Amupitan had not complied.
“At the moment, the INEC timetable is against NNPP relevance for the 2027 general elections,” Olaposi said.
“What happens if the court orders INEC to readjust its timetable to accommodate NNPP’s participation, time shall tell.”
INEC has not issued a public response to the allegations as of press time.
