The Uzuakoli Division of High Court in Abia State, presided over by Hon. Justice C.U. Okoroafor, issued an order on November 1, 2024, mandating the immediate takeover of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) by its Board of Trustees (BOT), led by the party’s founder, Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam.
This ruling stemmed from a motion on notice with suit No: HUZ/11/2024, filed by three NNPP members in Abia State seeking resolution to the party’s ongoing leadership crisis.
The court specifically ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant electoral bodies to accept candidates endorsed by the BOT until appropriate congresses are held to form critical party structures, such as the National Working Committee (NWC), Zonal, Local Government, and Ward Executive Committees.
Additionally, the judgment directed the Abia State Independent Electoral Committee (ABSIEC) and electoral bodies in other states where preparations for local council elections are ongoing to recognize only candidates submitted by the BOT led by Dr. Aniebonam.
The court also ordered the immediate organization of congresses to establish the necessary organs of the party and submit their details to INEC.
Following the court ruling, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, NNPP Founder and BOT Chairman, stated, “With this development and in line with our amended 2022 constitution, I hereby call all members of our great party to order, to allow the full implementation of the court’s directive, the peace of society, and the wellbeing of our party.”
Dr. Aniebonam further remarked, “Let the challenges within our party strengthen us for greatness in the future. It is time for an end to litigation, and for us to move forward as one large, happy family.”
He added, “I am pleased that my esteemed friends, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima, appear to have withdrawn their case against myself and other party members in the Kano State High Court.”
He concluded with a note of caution, saying, “I hope and believe that Senator Kwankwaso and Elder Galadima will not allow some of the unemployed individuals around them to take undue advantage of them again.”