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By Sunday Ani
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has again written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding immediate compliance with a subsisting court judgment and seeking a meeting with the Commission to resolve the lingering dispute over the party’s leadership recognition.
In a letter dated April 13 to the INEC Chairman and copied to the Commission’s legal department, the party, through its lawyers, Lex Firma LP, expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as INEC’s continued refusal to obey a judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory delivered on March 17.
The legal representatives recalled that the party had earlier written to the Commission on March 24, formally conveying the judgment and demanding compliance within 72 hours, as directed by the court.
Part of the letter read: “Regrettably, despite the clear and unambiguous orders of the court mandating compliance within 72 hours, more than three weeks have elapsed without any response whatsoever from the Commission.”
The party noted that INEC has neither taken steps to comply with the judgment nor issued any formal communication explaining its position, a development it described as troubling and inconsistent with the rule of law.
It further expressed concern over what it termed INEC’s apparent recognition of individuals who have allegedly defected from the NNPP to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including Dr Ajuji Ahmed and his associates, alongside Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
“It is surprising that the Commission continues to withhold recognition from the authentic leadership of the NNPP, while appearing to recognise individuals who have openly defected from the party and who had repeatedly failed in their claims before the courts of competent jurisdiction,” the letter added.
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The NNPP maintained that the judgment of a competent court remains binding on all parties until set aside by a superior court, stressing that no order of stay of execution had been granted in the matter.
“It is most distressing that any authority would elect to ignore a valid and subsisting judgment or attempt to interpret such judgment without recourse to due process,” the party said.
The party also raised concerns over INEC’s alleged refusal to engage with it despite several correspondences, noting that no response or invitation for dialogue had been received from the Commission.
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, the party warned that continued delay in compliance could lead to disenfranchisement of its supporters, especially as electoral activities approach a critical stage in line with INEC’s timetable.
While reaffirming confidence in the judiciary, the party stated that it remains optimistic that the courts would ultimately enforce their decisions.
However, in a bid to resolve the impasse amicably, the NNPP formally requested a meeting involving INEC officials, including the chairman and legal department, alongside members of the party’s National Working Committee and their legal counsel.
The party said the proposed meeting would provide an opportunity for constructive dialogue and a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
It urged the Commission to choose a convenient date and time for the engagement at the earliest opportunity.
