The leadership conflict within the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) took a significant turn on Thursday when a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory rejected a lawsuit brought by a faction aligned with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. This faction sought to contest the legitimacy of the party’s current leadership, which is headed by its founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, and the National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major.
The court firmly dismissed the lawsuit aimed at challenging the authority of Chief Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and the duly elected National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major. The legal action was initiated by Dr. Ahmed Ajuji, the national chairman of the Kwankwaso faction, along with 20 other individuals, who intended to invalidate the faction led by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, its Board of Trustees, and the National Working Committee (NWC) chaired by Dr. Agbo Major.
The plaintiffs requested the court to prevent these officials from holding meetings, organizing congresses, or overseeing the party’s national convention, claiming they had been expelled from the NNPP and thus forfeited their rights within the party.
In response, the defendants’ legal team, comprising Segun Fiki, C.F. Odiniru, E.C. Nwanya, and Arnold Ubua, categorically refuted these claims, asserting that the lawsuit represented an unwarranted intrusion into the internal matters of the NNPP, which falls outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Justice M.A. Hassan appeared to concur with the defendants’ argument, ruling that the court did not possess the authority to hear the case and affirming that disputes regarding party leadership and membership are not subject to judicial review.
“The legal principle, as established by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, is unequivocal: courts do not intervene in issues pertaining to the internal governance of a political party, except in matters related to candidate nominations for elections. Therefore, I must dismiss this suit due to lack of jurisdiction,” Justice Hassan stated.
The court’s ruling effectively rejected all claims made by the plaintiffs, thereby confirming that the leadership of the NNPP, under Agbo Major, is the legitimate authority managing the party’s operations.
The decision issued on Thursday reinforced a prior ruling from the Abia State High Court (Suit No.: HUZ/11/2024), which was delivered on November 1, 2024, and reinstated the NNPP’s Board of Trustees, headed by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam. This earlier judgment also validated the legitimacy of the party’s congresses and National Convention, which resulted in the election of the current leadership.
The ruling was positively received by the Aniabonam faction of the NNPP. Their attorney, Segun Fiki, spoke to reporters in Abuja, expressing approval of the decision and asserting that the case was an attempt to illegitimately seize control of the party. Fiki highlighted that the court’s ruling confirms the rightful governance of the NNPP under Major and Aniebonam.
“The court has made its position clear—this issue is non-justiciable. The legitimate leadership of the NNPP has been recognized, and we anticipate that the Independent National Electoral Commission will officially acknowledge and collaborate with the party’s duly elected officials,” he stated.
Conversely, the Kwankwaso faction contests the interpretation of the court’s ruling, claiming that the Aniebonam faction is misleading the public. The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, asserted that the ruling is being misrepresented and distorted by the founder and his team.
He remarked, “We will issue a statement regarding this matter soon. Initially, the suit was not about Major or Aniebonam; it concerned individuals misusing our party’s name. However, the judge, in what I believe to be an erroneous decision, stated that it is an internal party matter. If someone claims a lack of jurisdiction, does that equate to affirming Major? They are merely attempting to manipulate the narrative.”
The response from the Kwankwaso faction indicates that the dispute over the NNPP leadership is far from resolved.
Share the story!
You can create wealth, live healthier, look better, and be more knowledgeable. You deserve this life! Do not hesitate to earn it, visit our marketplace today.