A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has rejected a lawsuit filed by a faction aligned with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, which sought to challenge the leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) under Chief Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and National Chairman Dr. Agbo Major.
The suit, initiated by Dr. Ahmed Ajuji and 20 others, aimed to invalidate the authority of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and its executive leadership, including Barr. Tony Christopher Obioha, National Secretary Comrade Oginni Olaposi, and Deputy National Chairman Chief Felix Chukwurah. The plaintiffs also requested an injunction to prevent these leaders from organizing congresses, holding meetings, or overseeing the NNPP’s National Convention, arguing that they had been expelled from the party.
However, Justice M.A. Hassan ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, emphasizing that internal party leadership disputes fall outside judicial intervention.
“The law, as affirmed by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, is clear: courts do not intervene in internal political party matters, except when it concerns the nomination of election candidates,” Justice Hassan stated.
The ruling aligns with a previous decision by the Abia State High Court (Suit No.: HUZ/11/2024) on November 1, 2024, which upheld the legitimacy of the NNPP’s Board of Trustees under Dr. Aniebonam and affirmed the validity of the party’s congresses and National Convention.
Reacting to the judgment, the defendants’ counsel, Segun Fiki Esq., praised the court’s decision, describing the case as an attempt to manipulate the party’s leadership through legal means.
“The court’s decision is clear—this is a matter outside its jurisdiction. The NNPP’s legitimate leadership has been affirmed, and we now expect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize and cooperate with the duly elected officials of the party,” Fiki stated.
With this ruling, the NNPP’s leadership under Dr. Aniebonam and Dr. Major remains intact, signaling a setback for the faction attempting to challenge the party’s hierarchy.
