The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been charged by the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) of violating court orders on the party’s leadership recognition.
In a statement released in Lagos by its National Secretary, Ogini Olaposi, the NNPP accused INEC of disobeying a court order that required it to update its records, acknowledge the Agbo Major-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the NNPP, and submit an affidavit of compliance.
The statement claims that INEC was given 72 hours by a Federal Capital Territory High Court to comply with the order; but, three weeks later, the electoral authority has not complied and has not provided an explanation for its conduct.
Olaposi voiced worries that this might be taking place under the direction of Prof. Joash Amupitan, a Nigerian Senior Advocate and law lecturer.
He stated that if INEC is unable to settle disputes about political party leadership in compliance with court rulings, it may have to modify the schedule for the general elections in 2027.
It is preventable for INEC to disobey court orders. It is unsettling that INEC, an organization headed by a Nigerian senior counsel and law professor, would defy court rulings.
In a recent case, the Federal Capital Territory High Court issued a ruling requiring INEC to update its records, acknowledge the Agbo Major-led National Working Committee (NWC) of NNPP, and provide an affidavit of compliance within 72 hours.
“The commission is still to comply three weeks later, and there is no plausible justification.
Time has clearly been working against INEC since the day Justice Bello Kawu handed down the ruling. The court bailiff appropriately served the commission, and the court record reflects this.
Therefore, it seems sense that INEC should give the NNPP the same amount of time as other political parties to get ready for and take part in the 2027 elections, he stated.
Danger to Democracy
If INEC does not comply within the next seven days, the NNPP threatened to start contempt proceedings against the commission in order to seek justice and equity before the Nigerian Supreme Court.
Additionally, it urged Lateef Fagbemi, Nigeria’s Attorney General and Chief Justice, as well as the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), to look into the situation at INEC, stating that the judiciary should not be maligned.
The party issued a warning, stating that INEC’s current actions pose a threat to Nigerian democracy.
In order to stop further manipulation of the 2027 election schedule, we encourage the Federal Government and other important stakeholders to call INEC to order immediately.
“We specifically request that Lateef Fagbemi, the Nigerian Attorney General and Chief Justice, as well as the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), look into the situation at INEC.
In order to maintain the integrity and authority of the courts and to guarantee that legitimate orders are neither disregarded nor compromised, the judiciary and the court must be perceived as fiercely defending and guiding their jurisdiction.
“We join other well-meaning Nigerians in urging INEC to change its ways since its current actions could pose a threat to democracy.
“To restore credibility and protect the country’s democracy, we also call for a comprehensive overhaul of the commission, especially its legal department,” Olaposi stated.
