The New Nigeria People?s Party (NNPP), under the leadership of Dr. Ajuji Ahmed ? a faction loyal to Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso ? has reaffirmed its control over the party?s affairs, despite a recent court ruling related to the ongoing leadership crisis.

Since the 2023 general elections, the NNPP has been embroiled in internal turmoil, with rival factions battling over control of the party?s leadership, symbols and organisational structure.

The crisis has sown confusion among party members and supporters, especially in Kano State, where the NNPP currently holds power.

Last Thursday, a High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory dismissed a suit filed by the Kwankwaso-led camp.

The suit challenged the legitimacy of a faction led by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, who also claimed leadership of the party.

The case, instituted by Dr Ajuji Ahmed and 20 others, sought to nullify the authority of the NNPP?s Board of Trustees and its executive arm, including factional National Secretary, Oginni Olaposi, Deputy National Chairman, Chief Felix Chukwurah and legal practitioner, Tony Obioha.

The plaintiffs asked the court to restrain these officials from convening meetings, conducting congresses, or presiding over the party?s national convention, on the grounds that they had been expelled from the NNPP.

However, Justice M.A. Hassan ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter, stating that internal party issues ? such as disputes over leadership and membership ? are not subject to judicial intervention.

?The position of the law, as upheld by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, is clear: courts do not adjudicate on matters that fall within the internal affairs of a political party, except in cases relating to the nomination of candidates for elections,? Justice Hassan said.

The court did not make any pronouncement on which faction controls the party?s leadership, leaving the dispute unresolved and further deepening the internal crisis.

While the Aniebonam-led faction interpreted the court?s ruling as an endorsement of its authority, the Ajuji-led camp countered that the court merely declined jurisdiction and made no pronouncement affecting the current leadership structure of the NNPP.

Reacting to the judgment, factional National Secretary, Oginni Olaposi described the ruling as a victory for internal party democracy.

?This verdict affirms the legitimacy of the NNPP leadership under Dr. Agbo Major and reestablishes the authority of our Board of Trustees, led by Chief Boniface Aniebonam. It sends a strong message that party matters should be resolved internally,? he said.

Segun Fiki, counsel for the defendants, also hailed the ruling, saying it validates the leadership of Major and Aniebonam.

?The court has spoken clearly ? this matter is non-justiciable. The legitimate leadership of the NNPP has been affirmed and we now expect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to formally recognise and engage with the party?s duly elected officials,? Fiki said.

Kwankwaso?s camp reaffirms control over NNPP

Responding, the Kwankwaso camp cautioned against what it described as deliberate attempts by expelled members to mislead the public over the implications of the judgment.

Barrister Ladipo Johnson, National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP under Dr. Ajuji Ahmed, condemned what he termed a ?new low? by a ?renegade group? allegedly misrepresenting the court?s decision to falsely claim legitimacy.

?Quite expectedly, some of the defendants in the suit ? who remain expelled from the party ? have rushed to misinform Nigerians by twisting the judgement. Contrary to their false claims, there was no pronouncement conferring legitimacy or authority on any so-called Board of Trustees,? Johnson said.

He reiterated that the expulsion of Boniface Aniebonam, Major Agbo, Olaposi Oginni, and others ? upheld by a Federal High Court judgment delivered on April 18, 2024?remains valid and unchallenged.

Johnson further argued that the matter of legitimate party leadership is grounded in both constitutional and statutory provisions. Citing Section 222(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), along with Sections 81 and 83 of the Electoral Act, 2022, he stressed that only a party whose National Working Committee (NWC) is duly recognised by INEC is considered legitimate under the law.

?If you check with INEC or visit its portal, you won?t find the names of Boniface Aniebonam, Major Agbo, Olaposi Oginni, or their allies listed as members of the NNPP?s NWC,? he said.

?The judgment in question did not issue any directive to INEC or disturb the current status of the NNPP. The party?s management remains firmly under the leadership of Dr. Ajuji Ahmed,? Johnson added.

Kano factions ?clash? over verdict

Meanwhile, the court?s decision has reignited tensions between the two dominant NNPP factions in Kano State, each interpreting the judgment in its favour.

Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, factional chairman of the NNPP using the book and cup logo, welcomed the ruling as validation of his faction?s authority.

?I?m very happy with the judgment delivered by a respected judge. It confirms that we are on the right path as the legitimate managers of the party, with elected officials across the country ? including a governor, senators and House of Representatives members,? Dungurawa said.

He maintained that his group represents the mainstream NNPP and argued that expelled members have no legal or moral right to suspend prominent party figures, including the governor and the 2023 presidential candidate.

Dungurawa also applauded the court?s position on jurisdiction, calling it a corrective to earlier rulings?especially one from Abia State.

?Alhamdulillah, this judgment overrides that of Abia. We are determined to lead Nigeria into a new era of infrastructure, free education, and development by 2027,? he stated.

In contrast, Senator Jibril El-Masud Doguwa, factional chairman of the NNPP using the basket and fruits logo, also saw the ruling as a victory for his camp but struck a more conciliatory tone.

?The judgment dismissed the claims of the Kwankwaso-aligned faction, which means our side has prevailed. But beyond that, we are all brothers and comrades. Political rivalry should not be mistaken for enmity,? Doguwa said.

He urged both sides to come together in unity for the party?s future.

?Let?s put aside our differences and work together for the good of the NNPP, Kano State, and Nigeria,? he appealed. (Daily Trust)

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