… orders INEC to accept only Aniebonam candidates for Local Council elections
The Uzuakoli division of the Federal High Court in Abia state, presided over by Justice C.U. Okoroafor on Friday November 1, 2024 issued a compelling order for the immediate take over of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) by the Board of Trustees (BOT) chaired by the Founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam.
The Court took the decision based on a motion on notice with suit No: HUZ/11/2024 brought before it by three members of the party in Abia state seeking a solution to the ongoing leadership crisis in the party.
The judgement specifically compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all other relevant electoral bodies to henceforth accept candidates from the BOT until proper congresses are convened and relevant organs of the party such as the National Working Committee(NWC), Zonal, Local Government and Ward Executive Committees are constituted.
The judgement further directed the Abia State Independent Electoral Committee (ABSIEC) and all other states where preparations are underway for local council elections to accept list of candidates presented to them only by the Aniebonam led BOT.
The Court further directed for the immediate organisation of congresses to fill and activate all relevant organs of the party and submit same to INEC.
Aniebonam who is the Founder of the Party and Chairman BOT, said: “With this development and inline with the provisions of our constitution 2022 as amended I hereby call all members of our great party to order to enable full implementation of the compelling orders of the Court, peace of the society and wellbeing of our great party.
“Let the avoidable circumstances in our great party become our strength for greatness in the future. There must be an end to litigation as one large happy family.
“I am glad to note that my two good friends Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima may have influenced the withdrawal of their case in kano State High Court against my goodself and some members of our great party.
“It is my hope and belief that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima shall not allow some of the unemployed characters around to take an undue advantage of them again.”