PANIC IN KANO AS NNPP DRAGS INEC, 45 OTHERS TO COURT OVER ALLEGED DEFECTION OF LAWMAKERS TO APC, OTHERS

Panic in Kano as NNPP Drags INEC, 45 Others to Court Over Alleged Defection of Lawmakers to APC, Others

By Babatunde Aremu

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alongside 45 others, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged defection of lawmakers elected on its platform in the 2023 general elections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political parties.

The suit, filed through the party’s counsel, Lex Firma LP, seeks judicial interpretation and enforcement of constitutional provisions governing defection of elected legislators from the political parties on whose platforms they secured their mandates.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the originating summons, the NNPP is challenging the alleged defection of *45 lawmakers* comprising members of the *Kano State House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate* elected on its platform in 2023.

The party alleged that the affected lawmakers abandoned the NNPP and joined other parties while still occupying legislative seats secured under its platform, without following procedures it considers necessary for terminating their membership.

The NNPP further alleged that some of the lawmakers have already been listed by INEC as *APC, NDC and ADC candidates for the 2027 general elections*, raising questions about the legality of their nominations and continued occupation of their current legislative seats.

Specifically, the party identified some Kano State lawmakers whose names reportedly appeared on INEC’s final list of candidates for the 2027 State Houses of Assembly elections as APC and NDC candidates. They include:
– *Ismail Falgore Jibril* — Rogo Constituency
– *Bello Muhammad Butu Butu* — Rimin Gado/Tofa Constituency
– *Shehu Garba Fammar* — Kibiya Constituency
– *Muhammad Kadage Murtala* — Garko Constituency, among others.

In a letter dated *October 19, 2026*, addressed to INEC, the party said it had drawn the Commission’s attention to the alleged defections and called for investigation into circumstances surrounding the lawmakers’ purported resignations and subsequent membership of APC and others.

It expressed concern that the affected legislators still have their names on the NNPP membership register while simultaneously being registered as members of APC and others, a situation it argued violates statutory provisions regulating political-party membership.

The party also maintained that the alleged defections occurred without requisite clearance from its *Board of Trustees*, citing *Articles 8.2(a), 8.2(b) and 8.3(a)* of its constitution.

To support its position, the NNPP relied on judgments delivered by the *Abia State High Court on November 1, 2024, in Suit No. HUZ/11/2024*, and the *Court of Appeal on March 30, 2026, in Appeal No. CA/OW/271/2025*, which it said affirmed the authority of its Board of Trustees and founder in matters relating to party administration.

The NNPP argued that it has neither merged with APC or any other political party nor ceased to exist as a registered party, insisting that circumstances surrounding the alleged defections did not fall within constitutional exceptions that permit legislators to defect without losing their seats.

Consequently, the party is seeking judicial determination of constitutional implications of the alleged defections, particularly under *Sections 68(1)(g), 68(2), 109(1)(g) and 109(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)*.

These provisions address circumstances under which members of National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly may lose their seats following change of political-party membership.

The party also wants relevant legislative authorities to be notified of the alleged defections and appropriate constitutional steps taken concerning affected seats, including possibility of declaring seats vacant and conducting bye-elections. It said it is prepared to participate in any bye-elections lawfully conducted in affected constituencies.

The affidavit in support of the originating summons was deposed to by *Junia Oludare*, a litigation secretary with Lex Firma LP, and sworn to at the Federal High Court Registry, Abuja, on *October 27, 2026*.

Recall that NNPP, in a recent press statement signed by Founder, *Dr. Boniface Aniebonam* and Chairman Board of Trustees, said it will reject calls to backdate resignation of members who failed to complete the process before party notified INEC of alleged non-compliance with its constitution.

The party warned that any attempt to falsify resignation records would amount to criminality, urging individuals approaching its leaders to seek backdated documentation to desist.

NNPP had said it would not succumb to pressure from elected public office holders who allegedly abandoned party without completing constitutionally prescribed procedures for resignation.

The development follows a letter sent to INEC on October 19, alleging that *Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, 18 members of House of Representatives, 28 members of Kano State House of Assembly and two Senators* elected on its platform in 2023 had failed to fulfil requirements for lawful resignation.

According to the party, the affected politicians have since moved to other parties and are pursuing ambitions ahead of 2027 general elections without completing necessary resignation procedures.

The letter, jointly signed by NNPP National Chairman, *Dr. Agbo Major*, and National Secretary, *Mr. Oginni Olaposi*, informed INEC of what the party described as failure of affected office holders to comply with constitutional provisions governing resignation.

The current suit is expected to test constitutional boundaries of political defection, circumstances under which legislative seats may become vacant and INEC’s responsibilities in ensuring compliance with electoral laws ahead of 2027 general elections.

_Time shall tell, Aniebonam said!_