NNPP crisis: Kwankwaso led fraction meets defeat in court

In a landmark ruling that solidifies the legitimacy of the authentic leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Thursday, April 3, 2025, delivered a decisive judgment against the faction loyal to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The court unequivocally dismissed their suit, which sought to undermine the leadership and authority of the party’s founder, Chief Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, and the duly elected National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major.

The legal battle, instigated by Dr. Ahmed Ajuji and 20 others, aimed to delegitimize the party’s Board of Trustees and its national leadership, including other prominent figures such as Barr. Tony Christopher Obioha, Comrade Oginni Olaposi (National Secretary), and Chief Felix Chukwurah (Deputy National Chairman).

The plaintiffs sought sweeping declarations to nullify the authority of these key leaders, obstruct the functioning of the party, and prevent its legitimate organs from holding meetings, congresses, and the National Convention.

The claimants alleged that several party leaders, including its founder, had been expelled and could no longer exercise any rights within the NNPP.

However, counsel for the defendants, led by Segun Fiki Esq., C.F. Odiniru, E.C. Nwanya and Arnold Ubua categorically dismissed these assertions, arguing that the suit was an attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the NNPP—an area beyond the jurisdiction of the courts.

Segun Fiki further cited a pivotal judgment of the Abia State High Court (Suit No.: HUZ/11/2024) delivered on November 1, 2024, which had already reaffirmed the legitimacy of the Board of Trustees led by Dr. Aniebonam as the ultimate governing authority of the party.

Delivering the judgment, Justice M.A. Hassan held that the court had no jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter, as it pertained strictly to the internal affairs of the NNPP. His Lordship emphasized that the judicial system is only vested with the authority to rule on issues concerning the nomination of candidates for elections, not on party leadership disputes or internal governance matters.

“The courts have consistently maintained that internal party leadership issues are non-justiciable, as reaffirmed by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Consequently, I have no option but to dismiss this suit for lack of jurisdiction,” Justice Hassan declared.

This emphatic ruling puts to rest the protracted leadership dispute orchestrated by the Kwankwaso-led faction and affirms that the NNPP remains under the lawful stewardship of its original leadership.

The judgment also validates the recent ward, local government, zonal, and state congresses, as well as the National Convention, all conducted under the legally recognized leadership of Dr. Agbo Major.

With the legal obstacles now removed, the path is clear for the duly elected national officers to administer the NNPP without further distractions.

The ruling also places the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a defendant in the case, in a position where it must now recognize and engage with the authentic leadership of the NNPP in line with the judicial pronouncements from both the Abia State High Court and the High Court of the FCT.

This decision is a monumental victory for democracy, party unity, and the rule of law, reaffirming that the NNPP’s true leadership, led by Chief Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and Dr. Agbo Major, remains the only legitimate authority within the party.

The era of internal sabotage and legal gymnastics orchestrated by the Kwankwaso-led faction has effectively come to an end. With this distraction resolved, the NNPP is now poised to focus on its primary mission: providing a credible and formidable alternative in Nigeria’s political landscape.

The party leadership calls on all well-meaning members to align with the legally recognized leadership and work towards the advancement of the party’s vision and objectives.