NNPP Accuses INEC Of Delaying Primaries, Threatens Nationwide Protest

The faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) led by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of frustrating its efforts to conclude screening and conduct primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party also threatened to mobilise supporters for a protest in Abuja, alleging that INEC has continued to disregard court orders relating to the party’s leadership dispute.

The NNPP had earlier suspended a planned protest against the commission over its alleged delay in uploading the party’s authentic leadership structure on its official portal, following appeals from stakeholders who feared possible infiltration by hoodlums.

However, in a statement issued on Thursday, the party’s National Secretary, Mr. Ogini Olaposi, said INEC’s continued inaction was pushing the party “to the wall” and could affect its participation in the 2027 elections.

“We used all legal means via the courts to get the commission to comply with court orders and stop the unnecessary delays which we believe are linked and masterminded by those who left the NNPP,” Olaposi said.

He referenced a meeting between the party leadership and INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, and other commission officials in Abuja on May 19, saying it had raised expectations that have yet to be met.

“The INEC chairman said the commission will revert soon, and to date, it is yet to comply with the court order that gave it 72 hours to upload the NNPP National Working Committee (NWC) led by Dr. Agbo Major,” he stated.

Olaposi described INEC’s alleged refusal to obey court orders as “unfortunate and dangerous” for Nigeria’s democratic process, insisting that the commission must act within the law.

“In every instance of any order of the court, the only option available to INEC is to obtain a stay of execution or to secure an appeal from a higher court to set aside the judgment or order, which it has not done,” he added.

He further alleged that a Federal Capital Territory High Court had ordered INEC to recognise the Agbo Major-led NWC, remove the Rabiu Kwankwaso-led Kwankwasiyya structure from the NNPP framework, and restore the party’s original logo, colour and symbol within 72 hours.

According to him, despite subsequent rulings, INEC has yet to comply more than 60 days after the judgment.

Olaposi also accused INEC of undermining neutrality by continuing to recognise a structure allegedly linked to Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, despite claims that key figures had moved to another political platform.

He maintained that the party reserves the constitutional right to stage peaceful protests if the commission fails to implement the court rulings, insisting that its exclusion from electoral processes would not be tolerated.

“We can’t sit back and watch INEC continue to deny us the right to participate in an election as a duly registered political party in Nigeria,” he said.