A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) aligned with Rabiu Kwankwaso. The faction sought to challenge the leadership of the party under Boniface Aniebonam and National Chairman Agbo Major.
The lawsuit, initiated by Ahmed Ajuji and 20 other plaintiffs, aimed to invalidate the authority of the NNPP’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and its executive leadership, including Tony Christopher Obioha, National Secretary Comrade Oginni Olaposi, and Deputy National Chairman Chief Felix Chukwurah. The plaintiffs sought to prevent these leaders from holding meetings, organizing congresses, or overseeing the party’s National Convention, claiming 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 matters, including leadership and membership disputes, fall outside the court’s purview. “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.
This ruling echoes a similar decision from the Abia State High Court (Suit No.: HUZ/11/2024) on November 1, 2024, which reaffirmed the legitimacy of the NNPP’s Board of Trustees under Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and upheld the validity of the party’s congresses and National Convention.
In response, the defendants’ counsel, Segun Fiki Esq., commended the judgment, calling the lawsuit an attempt to manipulate the party’s leadership through the legal system. “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 said.
