Nigeria’s electoral umpire, INEC, has once again been drawn into the leadership crisis rocking the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), as the faction led by Dr. Major Agbo insists that the commission must suspend all elections until its “authentic logo” appears on ballot papers.
In a strongly worded letter dated Aug. 25, the party’s lawyer, Ndubuisi Ukpai, warned INEC against recognising the expelled faction loyal to Dr. Ajuji Ahmed or attending their planned NEC meeting on Aug. 28. He argued that such recognition would be unlawful and amount to contempt of court.
The NNPP pointed to a recent ruling of the FCT High Court granting it leave to seek judicial review through an order of mandamus, which it says obliges INEC to maintain the status quo.
The battle underscores how unresolved internal disputes in political parties continue to spill into the courts and entangle INEC in controversies that may affect its preparations for upcoming elections.
