The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of unwarranted interference and favoritism in the party’s internal leadership conflict.
The party also urged the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, to investigate the alleged participation of the Commission’s personnel in a convention organized by the party’s breakaway faction, despite being served with a court notice challenging the unlawful convention.
In a statement issued by the NNPP’s National Secretary, Oginni Olaposi Sunday, it was emphasized that the INEC chairman must identify and penalize any staff found to be colluding.
The NNPP stressed that INEC must maintain impartiality in the party’s internal dispute as mandated by law.
“While acknowledging the integrity, dignity, and leadership of the INEC chairman, we wish to remind him that the success or failure of electoral processes in Nigeria is largely dependent on the quality of leadership within the commission during his tenure,” the statement read.
“It is essential to recognize that INEC, as a commission, is tasked with regulating and overseeing electoral processes in Nigeria in alignment with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and electoral regulations.
“This should not undermine the partial autonomy and independence of political parties to govern themselves in accordance with their respective constitutions.”
The party highlighted that the courts, including the Supreme Court of Nigeria, have issued numerous rulings regarding the freedom and authority of political parties in managing their internal affairs, administration, and governance.
It questioned why INEC, instead of remaining neutral, appeared to be biased and taking sides in an internal matter of the NNPP.
The NNPP expressed regret that Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso and others expelled from the party had been misleading the public by claiming that the NNPP, under the leadership of Major Gilbert Agbo, had lost in various legal cases.
The party demanded clarity from the Court of Appeal on how the internal crisis could be resolved and by whom, as stipulated in the NNPP’s constitution.
Regarding INEC’s role as a regulator, it was suggested that alternative dispute resolution mechanisms be employed when such matters are formally presented to the Commission.
The party called on INEC to respond to the letters from the founder and members of the Board, urging the Board to take responsibility for resolving the internal crisis.
Despite serving court notices to Kwankwaso and his splinter group and INEC against the illegal convention, the convention was still held, with INEC mistakenly in attendance.
The party recommended that the INEC chairman enhance his supervisory role in overseeing the commission’s statutory duties and be prepared to exercise his residual powers when necessary.
Finally, the NNPP appealed to Yakubu to address the letters from the Board of Trustees of the NNPP, requesting that the party’s existence be preserved under the Board’s control while legal proceedings unfold.
By: Nwakaji Peace Martins
