The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has formally petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding the suspension of all electoral activities nationwide until the commission reflects its authentic logo and recognizes its legitimate leadership.
The request was contained in a letter dated August 25, 2025, and addressed to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. The correspondence, signed by Mr. Ndubuisi Ukpai, counsel to the party, was made available to journalists on Wednesday in Lagos.
The letter, titled “RE: Suit No. CV/3210/2025 – New Nigeria Peoples Party vs Independent National Electoral Commission: Continued Representation of the Authentic Leadership of the NNPP and the Need to Maintain Status Quo Pending Determination of the Suit for Judicial Review,” emphasized that INEC must comply with subsisting court judgments affirming Dr. Major Agbo as the party’s authentic National Chairman.
“Our client insists that INEC must refrain from all electoral activities, including the conduct of elections, until the commission reflects the true logo of the NNPP and accords full recognition to the leadership under Dr. Agbo,” the letter stated.
Ukpai recalled previous correspondences drawing INEC’s attention to binding judicial pronouncements on the party’s leadership crisis, noting that INEC’s failure to comply prompted the institution of a judicial review suit.
He disclosed that on August 15, 2025, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory granted the NNPP leave to seek an order of mandamus compelling INEC’s compliance.
Citing the legal principle established in Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu (1986) 1 NWLR (Pt. 18) 621, Ukpai warned that public institutions must not take actions capable of rendering pending court proceedings nugatory. He cautioned INEC against recognizing expelled members allegedly parading themselves as NNPP leaders under Dr. Ajuji Ahmed, describing any such actions as unlawful.
The party further alleged that the expelled faction planned to convene a purported National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on August 28, urging INEC not to attend or monitor the gathering.
“Any participation by INEC in such an illegal meeting would constitute interference in a matter sub judice and an affront to judicial authority,” the party warned, stressing that INEC has a constitutional duty under Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to enforce court decisions.
The NNPP urged the electoral body to act within the law to avoid contempt proceedings, emphasizing that the correspondence was intended to guide the commission “on the path of legality and institutional integrity.”
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