NNPP condemns INEC’s interference in its leadership crisis

• NNPP appealed to INEC chairman to preserve party’s autonomy.
• They demand neutrality, cites court pronouncements.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has expressed strong disapproval of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) undue interference and partiality in the party’s internal leadership crisis.

In a statement by the NNPP National Secretary, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday, he said “Without prejudice to the integrity, honour and leadership of the INEC chairman, we are using this medium to remind him that the successes and otherwise of electoral processes in Nigeria largely depend on the level of quality leadership of the commission under his watch.”

The party emphasized that INEC’s mandate is to regulate and control electoral processes, not to interfere in internal party matters.

“It is trite to note that INEC as a commission has the mandate to regulate and control electoral processes in Nigeria in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Electoral Guidelines.

This shall be without prejudice to the partial autonomy and independence of political parties to regulate and control themselves in accordance with their respective constitutions.”

NNPP pointed out that the courts, including the Supreme Court of Nigeria, have made several pronouncements affirming the autonomy and independence of political parties to regulate their affairs.

“One begins to wonder why INEC as a commission, other than being neutral, is found to be the contrary and taking sides over an internal matter of NNPP.”

The party also accused Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso and others expelled from NNPP of deceiving the public about the party’s leadership crisis.

“We regret to note that Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso and others expelled from our party have been deceiving the general public that the NNPP under the leadership of Major Gilbert Agbo lost in the various cases.

One begins to wonder how the pronouncements of the courts that NNPP leadership crisis is an internal matter of the party translate to loss?”

NNPP appealed to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, to attend to letters written by the Board of Trustees requesting preservation of the party’s life while court cases are ongoing.

“We shall therefore advise the INEC chairman to step up his supervisory role in the management and administration of the commission’s statutory responsibilities and know when to evoke his residual powers to act.”