The New Nigeria Peoples Party, a political party in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, which is Nigeria’s constitutionally empowered election management body, as well as the Nigerian public, to dismiss the congresses announced by the Kwankwasiya Movement led by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The party described the exercise as illegal and contrary to binding judicial decisions that have already defined its leadership structure.
In a statement issued on Monday by the National Secretary of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Mr. Ogini Olaposi, the party clarified that it had already conducted and concluded congresses in compliance with court directives. Okay News reports that the party insisted these court-sanctioned congresses form the only legitimate leadership process within the organisation.
The development follows a letter sent by the Kwankwaso-led group to the Independent National Electoral Commission, notifying the commission of its intention to conduct a fresh round of congresses and a national convention beginning from 25 November 2025 and extending into January 2026. The New Nigeria Peoples Party stated that the group had no legal authority to initiate such exercises, stressing that the Memorandum of Association it signed with the movement prior to the 2023 presidential election had expired.
The party reminded the public that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who contested the 2023 presidential election under its platform, and several members aligned with the Kwankwasiya Movement, had been expelled due to what the party described as “anti-party activities.”
According to the statement, “We are still amazed that a man of Kwankwaso’s standing will insist on hijacking a party that gave it a soft landing to contest the 2023 presidential election for free.”
The New Nigeria Peoples Party further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to comply with judgments from the Abia State High Court and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, both of which confirmed the expulsion of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his group and upheld the party’s internal disciplinary processes. It added, “It is most unfortunate that Kwankwaso can be found conducting himself most disrespectfully to disobey and abuse court judgments.”
The party criticised what it described as the failure of past leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission to enforce court orders, expressing hope that the current leadership would uphold democratic norms. It questioned why the commission had not responded to its letters demanding compliance with court rulings.
“As an umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission cannot afford to continue to sit on the fence on matters of urgent importance and peace of the society,” the party stated.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party asserted that the commission is fully aware of the court decisions yet continues to give attention to groups attempting to cause disunity within the party and strain Nigeria’s democratic system.
“We had written several letters to the Independent National Electoral Commission under the circumstances, and yet the commission remains adamant and encouraging disobedience to the rule of law in Nigeria.”
The party urged its members nationwide to disregard the congresses announced by the Kwankwasiya group, insisting they were “fake” and politically destabilising. It appealed to the commission to safeguard the democratic process and support national stability.
“Once again, we appeal to the Independent National Electoral Commission to help democracy succeed and sustain in Nigeria. The Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration can only succeed if laws are obeyed and respected,” it said.
