Defection Crisis Deepens as NNPP Heads to Court Against INEC, Lawmakers

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has instituted a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and 45 others over the alleged defection of 45 lawmakers elected on its platform in the 2023 general elections to other political parties.
The suit seeks judicial interpretation and enforcement of constitutional provisions governing the defection of elected legislators, particularly the circumstances under which lawmakers may lose their seats after abandoning the political parties on whose platforms they were elected.
Filed through the party’s solicitors, Lex Firma LP, the action challenges the alleged defection of members of the Kano State House of Assembly, the House of Representatives and the Senate to the All Progressives Congress (APC), New Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other political parties.
In an affidavit supporting the originating summons, the NNPP alleged that the affected lawmakers abandoned the party without completing the constitutionally and procedurally prescribed requirements for resignation from its membership, while continuing to occupy legislative seats secured under its platform.
The party further alleged that some of the lawmakers had already appeared on INEC’s final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections under different political parties, raising questions about the legality of their nominations and continued occupation of their current legislative positions.
Among the Kano State lawmakers identified by the party are Ismail Falgore Jibril of Rogo Constituency, Bello Muhammad Butu Butu of Rimin Gado/Tofa Constituency, Shehu Garba Fammar of Kibiya Constituency and Muhammad Kadage Murtala of Garko Constituency, whose names reportedly appeared on INEC’s candidate list under the APC and NDC.
The NNPP disclosed that it had earlier written to INEC on October 19, 2026, requesting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged defections and the purported resignations of the affected lawmakers.
According to the party, the affected politicians remain on its membership register while allegedly registering with other political parties, a development it argues contravenes statutory provisions and its internal constitutional requirements.
The party also maintained that the defections were not authorised in accordance with Articles 8.2(a), 8.2(b) and 8.3(a) of its constitution, which it cited as provisions regulating membership and resignation.
To strengthen its case, 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 the administration of the party.
The party further argued that it had neither merged with the APC or any other political party nor ceased to exist as a registered political organisation. It therefore maintained that the circumstances surrounding the alleged defections did not qualify for the constitutional exceptions permitting legislators to change political parties without forfeiting their seats.
Consequently, the NNPP is asking the court to determine the implications of Sections 68(1)(g), 68(2), 109(1)(g) and 109(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which provide for circumstances under which members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly may lose their seats following a change of political-party affiliation.
It is also seeking appropriate constitutional action by the relevant legislative authorities, including the possibility of declaring the affected seats vacant and conducting bye-elections in the constituencies concerned.
The party has indicated its readiness to participate in any bye-elections lawfully conducted as a consequence of the court’s determination.
The affidavit supporting 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.
NNPP Rejects Backdated Resignation Letters
The court action comes against the backdrop of an earlier warning by the NNPP that it would not accept or facilitate the backdating of resignation letters for elected officials accused of abandoning the party without complying with its constitutional procedures.
In a recent press statement signed by the party’s Founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, and its Board of Trustees Chairman, the NNPP warned that any attempt to falsify resignation records would amount to criminal conduct.
The party maintained that it would not succumb to pressure from elected public office holders seeking backdated resignation documents to regularise their alleged departure from its fold.
The development followed the party’s October 19 letter to INEC, in which it alleged that Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, 18 members of the House of Representatives, 28 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and two senators elected on its platform in 2023 had failed to comply with its constitutional requirements for resignation.
The letter, jointly signed by the NNPP National Chairman, Dr Agbo Major, and National Secretary, Mr Oginni Olaposi, urged the electoral commission to take note of the alleged non-compliance by the affected office holders.
The latest legal action is expected to bring renewed attention to the constitutional limits of political defection, the circumstances under which elected lawmakers may forfeit their seats and INEC’s responsibilities in regulating party nominations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The outcome of the case could have significant implications for the political future of the affected lawmakers and the electoral landscape in Kano State.
Reacting to the unfolding development, NNPP Founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, maintained that the party would stand by its position, declaring.