The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has raised allegations against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing it of undue interference and bias in the party’s ongoing leadership crisis. The accusations were made public in a press release issued on Sunday, signed by NNPP National Secretary, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday.
The NNPP claims that INEC staff attended a convention organized by a splinter group within the party, despite being served with court notices challenging the legitimacy of the gathering. The party has called on INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, to investigate and punish the staff involved in what they describe as an illegal convention.
“Without prejudice to the integrity, honour, and leadership of the INEC chairman, we are using this medium to remind him that the successes and otherwise of electoral processes in Nigeria largely depend on the level of quality leadership of the commission under his watch,” the statement read. The NNPP emphasized that INEC must maintain neutrality in internal party matters, as mandated by law.
The party pointed out that Nigerian courts, including the Supreme Court, have repeatedly affirmed the autonomy of political parties to manage their internal affairs. The NNPP criticized INEC for allegedly failing to adhere to this principle and taking sides in its internal dispute.
According to the NNPP, recent court rulings from the Federal High Courts in Awka and Abuja have stated that the party’s leadership crisis should be resolved internally. The NNPP expressed disappointment that expelled members, including Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, have been misrepresenting these rulings to the public.
The NNPP has approached the Court of Appeal to seek clear directives on how the internal crisis should be resolved. The party’s constitution mandates that the Founder and Members of the Board are responsible for resolving internal disputes, a role they believe should be reinforced by judicial pronouncement.
The NNPP also criticized INEC for attending the disputed convention, asserting that INEC should focus on its regulatory and oversight functions, including alternative dispute resolution, when formally approached. The party urged INEC Chairman Prof. Yakubu to enhance his oversight of the commission’s activities to prevent unauthorized actions by sectional heads.
In closing, the NNPP appealed to Prof. Yakubu to respond to letters from the party’s Board of Trustees, emphasizing the need to preserve the party’s integrity while legal proceedings continue.
The NNPP’s allegations highlight the ongoing challenges in maintaining impartiality and legal adherence within Nigeria’s electoral process, particularly amid internal party conflicts.