By John Moses
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently update its records regarding the authentic leadership of political parties, warning that failure to do so could lead to political instability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued by its National Secretary, Dr Ogini Olaposi, the NNPP expressed concerns over what it described as a growing crisis of legitimacy among party executives, stemming from INEC’s continued inaction.
“As Nigeria’s electoral regulator, INEC has a responsibility to provide clarity and transparency regarding party leadership,” Olaposi stated. “Prolonged litigation and internal party disputes are a disservice to our democracy.”
The NNPP highlighted specific concerns about INEC’s delay in recognising its newly constituted leadership, despite binding judicial rulings in their favour. The party pointed to a 1 November 2024 ruling by the Abia State High Court that confirmed Dr Agbo Major as the party’s national leader and Dr Boniface Aniebonam as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
A subsequent decision from the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja upheld the Abia ruling. Despite this, INEC has yet to reflect the changes on its official records, according to the party.
“The continued failure to implement court orders raises serious concerns about institutional credibility and may suggest deliberate obstruction,” the statement added.
The party warned that INEC’s inaction could leave the electorate confused and enable “unqualified individuals to hijack political platforms.”
“The Commission must not allow chaos to take root due to its administrative delays. Updating party leadership structures is not only a legal requirement but a democratic necessity,” Olaposi stressed.
The NNPP concluded by urging INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system by ensuring timely compliance with court decisions.
