NNPP Holds Closed Door meeting in Lagos , Threatens Protest over alleged INEC Disobedience to Court orders
NNPP NEC Holds Closed-Door Meeting in Lagos, Threatens Protest over alleged INEC Disobedience to Court Orders
By Babatunde Aremu
The Dr. Boniface Aniebonam-led faction of the New Nigeria People’s Party held a closed-door meeting with strategic stakeholders on Tuesday in Lagos to deliberate on the continued refusal of INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to comply with court orders recognizing the Major Agbo-led NEC.
The meeting, attended by members of the National Executive Committee and Board from across the country, was held at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.
In a communique read by the party’s Head of Strategy and Planning, Dr. Clement Iwegbuna, the NNPP resolved to stage a protest at INEC headquarters in Abuja soon. The party said earlier planned protests had been shelved twice to allow peace while pursuing enforcement of court judgments directing INEC to recognize and uphold the Major Agbo-led NEC.
“We have had enough of the dilly-dallying and antics of INEC. Our members shall remain at INEC headquarters until the commission implements the court orders,” Dr. Iwegbuna said.
The party noted that the internal dispute had been resolved by judgments of the High Court in Abia, FCT High Court, Apo Division, and the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division, all in favor of the Major Agbo-led NEC.
The NNPP described INEC’s continued disobedience, including non-compliance with an order of mandamus issued by Justice Bello Kawu, as “anarchistic, lawless, and an invitation to political instability.” It questioned why INEC has persisted despite the parties involved in the leadership tussle having joined other political parties.
“INEC is supposed to be an unbiased umpire. INEC is not above the law and is duty-bound to obey judgments of the court. Nigeria is too fragile for INEC to play with the emotions of Nigerians,” the communique stated.
The party said it could no longer allow INEC to disenfranchise its members and would bring the matter to public and international attention. However, it resolved to continue the sale of nomination forms pending resolution of the leadership issue with INEC.
On 2027 coalitions, the NNPP said it would not join any coalition, citing ideological differences and what it described as personal vendetta as the motive of parties coming together.
“We do not have a do-or-die mentality. We have turned down approaches to join coalitions because of what we perceive as the wrong approach to power. There is nothing wrong with aspiration, but when the motive becomes a fixation on a person, then it is wrong,” Dr. Iwegbuna said.
The party accused Prof. Amupitan of approaching Justice Bello Kawu’s court with four Senior Advocates and 14 lawyers to intimidate the judge, and of writing a petition to the Chief Judge of the FCT to transfer the mandamus order to another judge.
“It is left for the judiciary to defend and protect its jurisdiction jealously and stop Prof. Joash Amupitan from this abuse and disrespect,” the NNPP said, questioning whose interest the INEC Chairman was protecting ahead of the 2027 elections.
