NNPP Crisis: Court Backs Agbo Major, Orders INEC to Comply in 48hrs

The leadership tussle within the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) took a decisive turn as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja issued fresh orders affirming Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major as the party’s authentic National Chairman.
Justice Bello Kawu of High Court No. 14, Apo, delivered the rulings on 25 and 27 November 2025, restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or engaging with any faction other than the Agbo Major–led executive.

In the first ruling, dated 25 November, the court granted the NNPP leave to apply for judicial review by way of mandamus, with the leave operating as a stay against any contrary action or recognition by INEC. Justice Kawu also ordered an accelerated hearing of the matter and abridged timelines for all parties, scheduling the substantive hearing for 10 December 2025.
A subsequent ruling on 27 November permitted substituted service on 16 respondents at the NNPP National Secretariat in Abuja. The court further barred INEC—whether through its departments or officials—from monitoring or participating in any congress or convention organised by the faction loyal to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso pending the determination of the suit.

The restrained respondents include Dr. Ajuji Ahmed, Hon. Abba Kawu Ali, Prince Nwaeze Onu, Hon. Aladipo Alayokun, Ladipo Johnson, Arc. Mohammed Abacha, Mustapha Alkassim, among others associated with the Kwankwaso-led faction.
Following the court’s pronouncements, the NNPP wrote formally to the newly appointed INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, notifying him of the binding nature of the orders. In the letter dated 26 November 2025, the party congratulated the chairman and emphasised the Commission’s duty to comply strictly with existing judgments.
The party highlighted multiple decisions—including those of the High Court of Abia State (HUZ/11/2024) and the FCT High Court (FCT/HC/CV/5518/2024)—which upheld the national convention that produced Dr. Agbo Major and dismissed attempts by the Ahmed-led faction to assert control.
Despite the judgments, the NNPP accused INEC of previously engaging with the faction loyal to Senator Kwankwaso, even after what it described as an “unauthorized and illegal” letter of 31 October 2025, in which the faction purported to notify the Commission of proposed congresses.

The NNPP maintained that the individuals claiming authority on behalf of Kwankwaso, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, “have no standing or legal relationship” with the NNPP. It warned that any engagement with them would constitute deliberate disobedience of court orders and a violation of Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
Citing the Supreme Court’s decision in Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu, the party reminded INEC that no public authority is permitted to disregard judicial directives or attempt to overreach the courts.
Justice Kawu’s orders expressly bar INEC from uploading, publishing, or recognising any logo, communication, or document originating from the factional respondents until the judicial review is concluded. The NNPP was given five days to serve all processes, with the respondents allotted five days to respond, and three days for the party to file any reply.
As part of its demands, the NNPP urged INEC to, within 48 hours of receiving the enrolled order, update its official website to reflect Dr. Agbo Major and Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday as the recognised National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, and reinstate the party’s original logo and colours.

The party insisted that “there must be no vacuum in governance,” stressing the need to keep its administrative structure functional ahead of the 10 December hearing date.
The latest rulings mark another chapter in the long-running leadership dispute that has plagued the NNPP since 2023, with parallel factions engaging in multiple court battles across different jurisdictions.