ABUJA – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is under renewed pressure to comply with a Federal High Court ruling affirming Chief Edozie Njoku as the National Chairman of the National Rescue Movement (NRM).
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Chief Njoku called on INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to respect the subsisting court judgment that upheld the legitimacy of the party’s Emergency National Convention and the newly constituted National Working Committee (NWC).
Njoku expressed dismay that five months after the party’s convention was held in Abuja, INEC has yet to recognize or engage with him in his official capacity, despite multiple legal victories validating his position.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, in a ruling delivered on January 16, 2025, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/45/25, issued an order of mandamus compelling INEC to monitor the party’s convention and accept its outcome. However, INEC declined to attend the convention, citing procedural issues — a stance the court has since overruled.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in his judgment, stated that INEC’s failure to monitor the convention constituted a neglect of its constitutional duty under the Electoral Act 2022, declaring the act both unlawful and unconstitutional.
In a separate ruling, Justice James Omotosho clarified that a political party is only required to notify INEC of its convention; the commission is not mandated to attend, nor does its absence invalidate the event.
With the 90-day appeal window now closed and no appeal filed by INEC or any aggrieved party member, Njoku said the NRM has no choice but to initiate contempt proceedings against Prof. Yakubu. A letter dated June 4, 2025, from the party’s legal counsel, Oladimeji Ekengba of Joe Agi, SAN & Associates, warned the INEC Chairman of the legal consequences of continued defiance.
“We urge you to obey the judgment of the court and purge yourself of this contemptuous act,” the letter stated. “Should you fail, we shall not hesitate to urge the court to commit you to prison, in line with the rule of law. A stitch in time saves nine.”
Njoku expressed optimism about the future of the NRM, declaring that the internal crisis that had plagued the party is now resolved. He announced the establishment of 18 new offices across the country and hinted at the possibility of coalition talks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We are focused on building a strong and united NRM. Coalition is not on the table yet, but we are having a strategic meeting next week to deliberate on the way forward,” he said.
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