The leadership crisis within the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) took a decisive turn on Thursday, as a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) dismissed a lawsuit filed by a faction loyal to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The suit, spearheaded by Dr. Ahmed Ajuji and 20 others, sought to challenge the legitimacy of the party’s leadership under its founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, and National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major. The plaintiffs aimed to nullify the authority of the NNPP’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and executive leadership, which includes National Secretary Oginni Olaposi, Deputy National Chairman Chief Felix Chukwurah, and legal practitioner Tony Obioha.
They also sought 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 jurisdiction to hear the case, emphasizing that leadership disputes within political parties fall outside 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,” the judge stated.
With this ruling, the court dismissed all claims by the plaintiffs, affirming that the Agbo Major-led leadership remains the legitimate authority of the NNPP.
Legal Precedent and Party Stability
This decision aligns with a previous ruling by the Abia State High Court (Suit No.: HUZ/11/2024) on November 1, 2024, which reinstated the NNPP’s Board of Trustees under Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and upheld the legitimacy of the party’s congresses and National Convention.
Reacting to the ruling, Segun Fiki, counsel to the defendants, described the case as an attempt to wrongfully seize control of the party.
“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 (INEC) to formally recognize and cooperate with the party’s duly elected officials,” Fiki stated.
Kwankwaso’s Faction Reacts
Meanwhile, the Kwankwaso faction expressed disappointment with the judgment.
The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, accused Major and Aniebonam of misleading the public.
In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, Johnson insisted that the lawsuit was not targeted at Major or Aniebonam but rather at individuals allegedly misusing the NNPP’s name.
“The judge, wrongfully, I believe, said that this is an internal affair of the party. But does a lack of jurisdiction mean the same thing as affirming Major? They are just trying to spin it,” Johnson remarked, hinting at a forthcoming official statement to clarify their position.
