Abuja — The leadership tussle within the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) took a new turn as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja issued fresh orders restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any faction of the party other than the one led by Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major.
The orders, delivered on 25 and 27 November 2025 by Justice Bello Kawu of High Court No. 14, Apo, were disclosed Monday at a world press conference held at the NNPP national headquarters in Abuja.
According to the party, the rulings were issued in response to two separate ex parte applications filed by the Agbo Major-led leadership, accusing a rival faction linked to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and led by Dr. Ajuju Ahmed of attempting to mislead the electoral commission despite earlier court judgments affirming the Agbo Major National Working Committee (NWC).
In the first ruling on 25 November, Justice Kawu granted the NNPP leave to seek judicial review by way of mandamus and held that the leave “shall operate as a stay” on any action, communication, or recognition by INEC inconsistent with the Agbo Major leadership. The court also ordered accelerated hearing and abridged timelines, scheduling the substantive matter for 10 December 2025.
A second ruling delivered on 27 November authorised substituted service on 16 respondents via the NNPP National Secretariat and further restrained INEC or any of its departments from monitoring, attending, or participating in any congress or convention organised by the factional group led by Senator Kwankwaso pending determination of the substantive suit.
Respondents listed include Dr. Ajuju Ahmed, Hon. Abba Kawu Ali, Prince Nwaeze Onu, Hon. Aladipo Alayokun, Ladipo Johnson, Arc. Mohammed Abacha, and Mustapha Alkassim among others.
Following the court’s directives, the NNPP said it promptly wrote to congratulate the newly appointed INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, while notifying him of the binding orders. The letter, dated 26 November 2025, reminded the Commission of existing judgments from the High Court of Abia State (HUZ/11/2024) and the FCT High Court (FCT/HC/CV/5518/2024), which affirmed the legitimacy of the national convention that produced Dr. Agbo Major.
The party alleged that despite these rulings, INEC had previously extended recognition to the Kwankwaso-aligned group following what it described as an “unauthorised and illegal” letter dated 31 October 2025, allegedly issued by Dr. Ajuju Ahmed and Dipo Olayoku to notify the Commission of planned congresses and a national convention.
The NNPP insisted that individuals representing the faction loyal to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate “have no authority, standing, or legal relationship” with the party. It warned that any engagement by INEC with the group would amount to disobedience of valid court orders and a violation of Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
Quoting the Supreme Court’s decision in Governor of Lagos State vs. Ojukwu, the party stressed that no public institution is allowed to act in defiance of the courts or create a situation that undermines judicial authority.
Justice Kawu’s orders expressly bar INEC from uploading, publishing, or recognising any logo, document, or communication emanating from the factional respondents until the case is concluded. The court further directed that the NNPP serve all processes within five days, while respondents are expected to file counter-affidavits within five days thereafter.
Speaking during the briefing, NNPP National Secretary, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday, urged INEC to “as a matter of necessity” update its official records to reflect Dr. Agbo Major as National Chairman and Comrade Oginni as National Secretary, and to restore the party’s original logo and colours within 48 hours of receiving the enrolled order.
He argued that maintaining clarity in leadership was essential to avoid a vacuum in party governance ahead of the December 10 hearing date.
The ruling marks the latest chapter in an ongoing leadership crisis that has dogged the NNPP since 2023, spurring multiple court battles across various jurisdictions.
