The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Monday (today) urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard the purported congresses announced by the Kwankwasiyya Movement, led by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, describing the move as unconstitutional and invalid.
The party stated this in a statement issued by its National Secretary, Ogini Olaposi, insisting that court-ordered NNPP congresses had already been conducted and concluded.
Naijaonpoint reports that the controversy deepened after the Kwankwaso-led faction wrote to INEC, notifying the commission of plans to hold fresh congresses and a national convention between November 25 and January 2026.
But the NNPP dismissed the move, saying the senator and his group lacked the legal standing to conduct any exercise on behalf of the party.
According to the statement, the Memorandum of Association entered into with the Kwankwasiyya Movement ahead of the 2023 presidential election had long expired, and therefore conferred no authority on the group.
The party reiterated that Kwankwaso, its 2023 presidential candidate, and several members of the Kwankwasiyya faction remain expelled for alleged anti-party activities.
“We are still amazed that a man of Kwankwaso’s standing will insist on hijacking a party that gave him a soft landing to contest the 2023 presidential election for free,” the statement said.
‘Court Judgments Affirm Expulsion’
The NNPP maintained that two courts, the Abia State High Court and the Federal Capital Territory High Court, had affirmed the expulsion of Kwankwaso and his group from the party’s internal processes.
“The Abia State High Court and the Federal Capital Territory High Court confirmed the expulsion of Kwankwaso and his group from NNPP’s internal democratic processes and disciplinary action. It is most unfortunate that Kwankwaso can be found conducting himself most disrespectfully to disobey and abuse court judgments,” the party said.
Party Accuses INEC of Ignoring Court Orders
The NNPP accused INEC of failing to implement the judicial decisions despite being fully aware of the judgments.
It said previous letters sent to the commission demanding compliance had not been acknowledged.
“INEC’s past leadership failed us, and we are hoping that the present leadership shall distance itself from disobedience to the rule of law. We are still wondering why INEC has not responded to our letters demanding that judgments of the courts should be obeyed,” Olaposi stated.
The party stressed that INEC, as an electoral umpire, must not remain on the fence on matters of urgent importance.
The NNPP urged its members nationwide to ignore the Kwankwasiyya Movement’s planned congresses, describing them as fake and targeted at creating unrest within the political space.
“Under the circumstances, we shall continue to keep the peace of the society and direct members of our great party to disregard the fake congresses and conventions,” the statement added.
The party appealed to INEC to help safeguard democracy and ensure that court directives are respected.
“Once again, we appeal to INEC to help democracy succeed and sustain in Nigeria. The Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration can only succeed if laws are obeyed and respected,” the NNPP stated.
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