The leadership dispute in the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) deepened on Thursday after a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory dismissed a lawsuit from a faction loyal to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The case, filed by Dr. Ahmed Ajuji and 20 others, aimed to challenge the legitimacy of the current NNPP leadership under Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the party’s founder, and Dr. Agbo Major, the National Chairman.
According to The PUNCH, the plaintiffs sought to invalidate the authority of the party’s Board of Trustees and executive leadership, including key figures like National Secretary Oginni Olaposi and Deputy National Chairman Chief Felix Chukwurah.
They argued these officials had been expelled from the party and sought to block them from convening meetings, conducting congresses, or overseeing the party’s National Convention.
However, Justice M.A. Hassan ruled that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the case, reinforcing the principle that courts avoid intervening in internal party matters unless they involve the nomination of candidates for elections.
“The position of the law, as upheld by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, is clear: courts do not adjudicate on matters that fall within the internal affairs of a political party, except in cases relating to the nomination of candidates for elections,” Justice Hassan stated.
With this ruling, the court dismissed all claims from the plaintiffs, effectively affirming the legitimacy of Dr. Agbo Major’s leadership.
This decision reinforced a prior ruling by the Abia State High Court in November 2024, which reinstated the NNPP’s Board of Trustees and upheld the legitimacy of the party’s congresses and National Convention, validating the election of the current leadership.
Segun Fiki, counsel for the defendants, praised the ruling, calling the lawsuit an attempt to undermine the party’s legitimate leadership.
“The court has spoken clearly—this matter is non-justiciable. The legitimate leadership of the NNPP has been affirmed, and we now expect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to formally recognize and cooperate with the party’s duly elected officials,” Fiki said.
Meanwhile, the Kwankwaso faction expressed frustration over the ruling. Ladipo Johnson, their National Publicity Secretary, criticized Dr. Major and Dr. Aniebonam for allegedly misleading the public.
Johnson remarked, “The judge, wrongfully, I believe, said that this is an internal affair of the party. But does a lack of jurisdiction mean the same thing as affirming Major? They are just trying to spin it.” He hinted that a statement would be released soon to clarify the faction’s position on the matter.
Article updated 3 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
