The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and 45 lawmakers earlier than the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged defection of lawmakers elected on its platform in 2023 with out finishing their resignation processes.
The swimsuit, filed by way of the party’s counsel, Lex Firma LP, seeks judicial interpretation and enforcement of constitutional provisions governing the defection of elected legislators from the political events on whose platforms they secured their mandates.
According to an affidavit filed in assist of the originating summons, the NNPP is difficult the alleged defection of 45 lawmakers, comprising members of the Kano State House of Assembly, the House of Representatives, and the Senate, who have been elected on its platform within the 2023 normal elections.
The party alleged that the affected lawmakers deserted the NNPP and joined different political events whereas nonetheless occupying the legislative seats they secured underneath its platform, with out following the procedures required for terminating their membership.
The NNPP additional alleged that a few of the lawmakers had already been listed by INEC as candidates of different events for the 2027 normal elections, elevating questions concerning the legality of their nominations and their continued occupation of their present legislative seats.
Specifically, the party recognized a number of Kano State lawmakers whose names reportedly appeared on INEC’s record as candidates for different events within the 2027 State House of Assembly elections.
In a letter dated Oct. 19 addressed to INEC, the party said that it had drawn the fee’s consideration to the alleged defections and requested an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the lawmakers’ purported resignations and subsequent membership in different events.
It expressed concern that the affected legislators nonetheless have their names on the NNPP membership register whereas concurrently being registered as members of different events—a scenario it argued violates statutory provisions regulating political party membership.
The party maintained that the alleged defections occurred with out the requisite clearance from its Board of Trustees and electoral tips, citing Articles 8.2(a), 8.2(b), and eight.3(a) of its structure.
The NNPP relied on judgments delivered by the Abia State High Court on Nov. 1, 2024, in Suit No. HUZ/11/2024, and the Court of Appeal on March 30, 2026, in Appeal No. CA/OW/271/2025, which it stated affirmed the authority of its Board of Trustees and founder in issues regarding the party’s administration.
The party additional argued that it had not merged with any political party nor ceased to exist as a registered entity, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the alleged defections don’t fall throughout the constitutional exceptions allowing legislators to defect with out forfeiting their seats.
Consequently, the party is searching for a judicial willpower of the constitutional implications of the alleged defections underneath Sections 68(1)(g), 68(2), 109(1)(g), and 109(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“These provisions address circumstances under which members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly may lose their seats following a change of political party membership, subject to constitutionally recognized exceptions,” the party said.
“We also want the relevant legislative authorities to be notified of the alleged defections and appropriate constitutional steps taken concerning the affected seats, including the possibility of declaring them vacant and conducting bye-elections.”
The NNPP added that it’s ready to take part in any bye-elections lawfully carried out within the affected constituencies.
The affidavit in assist of the originating summons was deposed to by Junia Oludare, a litigation secretary with Lex Firma LP, and sworn to on the Federal High Court (*45*), Abuja, on Oct. 27, 2026. (NAN)
Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the NNPP, said that the party is not going to settle for interventions to backdate the resignations of members who failed to finish the method earlier than the party notified INEC of their alleged non-compliance.
He warned that any try and falsify resignation data would quantity to criminality, urging people approaching party leaders for backdated documentation to desist instantly.
In its Oct. 19 letter to INEC, the NNPP alleged that Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, 18 members of the House of Representatives, 28 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, and two senators elected on its platform in 2023 had failed to meet the statutory necessities for lawful resignation.
According to the party, the affected politicians have since moved to different political events and are pursuing political ambitions forward of the 2027 normal elections with out finishing the mandatory resignation procedures.
The swimsuit is anticipated to check the constitutional boundaries of political defection by elected lawmakers, the circumstances underneath which legislative seats could grow to be vacant, and INEC’s duties in making certain compliance with electoral legal guidelines forward of the 2027 normal elections. (NAN)
UPDATE NEWS:
Nigerians can now make investments ₦2.5 million on premium domains and revenue about ₦17-₦25 million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than surprise,
click here to find out how it works.
