Court rejects Kwankwaso faction’s suit, upholds legitimacy of NNPP leadership

A Federal High Court in Abuja, within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), which aligned with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. The faction had sought to challenge the legitimacy of the party’s leadership under Chief Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and National Chairman Dr. Agbo Major.

The court ruled that it lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter, which revolved around internal party leadership issues.

The case was filed by Dr. Ahmed Ajuji and 20 other individuals, who sought to invalidate the leadership of the NNPP’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and its executive members, including Barr. Tony Christopher Obioha, National Secretary Comrade Oginni Olaposi, and Deputy National Chairman Chief Felix Chukwurah.

The plaintiffs had requested an injunction to prevent the party’s leadership from holding meetings, organizing congresses, or overseeing the National Convention. Their claim rested on the argument that they had been expelled from the party.

However, in his ruling, Justice M.A. Hassan stressed that matters concerning internal party leadership and membership disputes fall outside the jurisdiction of the courts. He referred to established precedents from both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, which have consistently ruled that courts do not intervene in internal political party matters, except when issues such as the nomination of election candidates are involved.

“The law, as confirmed by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, is clear: courts do not intervene in internal political party matters, unless it involves the nomination of candidates for elections,” Justice Hassan stated, rejecting the lawsuit.

This ruling follows a similar decision in November 2024, when the Abia State High Court (Suit No.: HUZ/11/2024) upheld the legitimacy of the NNPP’s leadership under Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, affirming the validity of the party’s congresses and National Convention.

In response to the judgment, Segun Fiki Esq., who represented the defendants, commended the court’s decision. He described the legal action as an attempt to manipulate the leadership structure of the NNPP through the courts, and he welcomed the ruling as a confirmation of the party’s legitimate leadership.

“The court’s decision is clear—this is a matter beyond its jurisdiction. The NNPP’s legitimate leadership has been affirmed, and we now expect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to acknowledge and cooperate with the duly elected officials of the party,” Fiki remarked.

The court’s decision solidifies Chief Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and his leadership team’s position as the recognized and legitimate authority within the NNPP, amid ongoing internal disputes within the party.