Kwankwaso camp kicks as court dismisses suit challenging NNPP leadership

The leadership tussle in the New Nigeria Peoples Party took a new turn on Thursday after a High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory dismissed a suit filed by a faction loyal to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, which sought to challenge the legitimacy of the party’s current leadership under its founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and National Chairman, Dr Agbo Major.

The case, filed by Ahmed Ajuji and 20 others, aimed to invalidate the authority of the NNPP’s Board of Trustees and its executive leadership, including NNPP factional National Secretary, Oginni Olaposi; Deputy National Chairman, Chief Felix Chukwurah; and legal practitioner, Tony Obioha.

The claimants had asked the court to restrain these officials from convening meetings, conducting congresses, or presiding over the party’s national convention, arguing that they had been expelled from the NNPP.

However, Justice M.A. Hassan ruled that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit, affirming that internal party disputes—such as leadership and membership issues—are beyond judicial intervention.

“The position of the law, as upheld by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, is clear: courts do not adjudicate on matters that fall within the internal affairs of a political party, except in cases relating to the nomination of candidates for elections,” Justice Hassan stated.

With the verdict, the court effectively dismissed all reliefs sought by the claimants, thereby affirming that the Agbo Major-led NNPP leadership remains the legitimate authority overseeing the party’s affairs.

Thursday’s ruling reinforced an earlier decision by the Abia State High Court (Suit No.: HUZ/11/2024), delivered on November 1, 2024, which reinstated the NNPP’s Board of Trustees, led by Dr Boniface Aniebonam.

That judgment also upheld the legitimacy of the party’s congresses and National Convention, which saw the election of the current leadership.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, counsel for the defendants, Segun Fiki, welcomed the ruling, noting that the case was an attempt to usurp the leadership of the party through the back door.

Fiki emphasized that the court’s decision affirms the rightful administration of the NNPP under Major and Aniebonam.

“The court has spoken clearly—this matter is non-justiciable. The legitimate leadership of the NNPP has been affirmed, and we now expect the Independent National Electoral Commission to formally recognise and cooperate with the party’s duly elected officials,” he said.

Reacting, the camp of the Kwankwasiyyan movement berated Major and Aniebonam for attempting to deceive the public.

In a phone interview with The PUNCH, the factional National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, said the ruling was misinterpreted and twisted by the founder and his executives.

He said, “We will soon release a statement on it. First, the suit wasn’t about Major or Aniebonam or whatever. It was about some people going about using the name of our party.

“But the judge, wrongfully I believe, said that it is an internal affair of the party. So if someone says I have no jurisdiction, does it mean the same thing as affirming Major? They are just trying to spin it.”