The New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the administration of President Bola Tinubu of orchestrating efforts to destabilise the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The allegation comes amid a prolonged leadership crisis within the NNPP, which has split the party into two rival factions. One faction is aligned with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiya Movement, while the other is led by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major.
Major and Aniebonam were expelled from the party after the 2023 general elections over allegations of anti-party activities. However, the duo has continued to challenge their expulsion through the courts.
In a recent development, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama reportedly directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Major.
The ruling has sparked fresh controversy within the party, with the NNPP leadership loyal to Kwankwaso questioning INEC’s decision to recognise the rival faction despite pending legal disputes.
Addressing journalists at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, the NNPP National Chairman, Bala Yunusa Mohammed, alleged that powerful political forces were behind the internal crisis.
“The ruling party or the current government is likely responsible because we had consistently received favourable court judgments until suddenly, lower courts in Abuja and Abia delivered default judgments. A judgment should not be delivered without giving all parties a fair hearing. That suggests there are unseen forces influencing these developments,” Mohammed said.
He claimed the APC views the NNPP as a major political threat following its performance in the 2023 general elections.
“After the 2023 elections, we emerged as the third most popular political party in Nigeria. That has made us a target. They are using expelled members of our party and allegedly providing them with support to create confusion within our ranks,” he alleged.
Mohammed also criticised INEC for recognising the Major-led faction before the conclusion of ongoing legal proceedings.
According to him, the electoral commission had earlier assured the party that it would maintain the status quo pending the determination of appeals.
“INEC acted prematurely. If a party is dissatisfied with a court judgment, it has the constitutional right to appeal. The commission should have waited for the appeal process instead of recognising individuals who are no longer members of the NNPP,” he said.
He further argued that the individuals recognised by INEC had been expelled from the party and were not listed in the electronic membership register submitted to the commission in line with its directives.
The leadership dispute continues to deepen divisions within the NNPP as preparations gradually begin for the 2027 general elections.
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