By: Nwakaji Peace Martins
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has formally requested that the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, provide a response to the party’s communication regarding the internal leadership dispute.
Dated April 3, 2024, the letter submitted by the party urged INEC to officially recognize and authorize Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, a distinguished life member of the Board of Trustees and Founder of the party, to oversee the party’s essential functions during the resolution of the ongoing internal conflict.
According to the correspondence prepared by Templum Solicitors and duly acknowledged by INEC, the NNPP emphasized that the prolonged discord within the party would impede its ability to operate effectively as a registered political entity in Nigeria.
The party underscored that the Kwankwasiya movement, led by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, was not a recognized political party in Nigeria, and thus, it would be inappropriate for INEC to enable any actions that promote illegality.
In a recent statement issued in Lagos by Dr. Aniebonam, the NNPP expressed disappointment over INEC’s lack of response to their communication. Dr. Aniebonam emphasized that a reputable institution like INEC, entrusted with overseeing electoral processes in Nigeria, should be capable of efficiently managing routine administrative tasks such as responding to official correspondence and providing guidance on matters of critical importance.
“The letter was dispatched and acknowledged by INEC on April 3, 2024, and yet, nearly two months have passed without any form of communication from the commission. This lack of response is both surprising and inappropriate. The delay in addressing our concerns is having a detrimental impact on the party, particularly with the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ekiti states on the horizon.
“Established in 2002, the NNPP has consistently participated in electoral processes across Nigeria. Consequently, any further delays by INEC may jeopardize our involvement in the upcoming gubernatorial elections preceding the 2027 general elections,” Dr. Aniebonam emphasized.
