The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and 45 lawmakers before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged defections from the party.
The party is asking the court to determine the constitutional implications of the lawmakers’ alleged moves to other political parties while retaining legislative seats they won on the NNPP platform in the 2023 general elections.
The suit concerns members of the Kano State House of Assembly, the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The NNPP contends that the affected lawmakers have continued to occupy their seats despite allegedly leaving the party without completing the required resignation procedures.
It also alleged that some of the lawmakers have appeared on INEC’s lists of candidates for the 2027 elections under other political parties, even as their names remain on the NNPP membership register.
Party seeks declaration of vacant seats
The NNPP is asking the court to determine whether the alleged defections fall within the constitutional exceptions that allow elected lawmakers to change parties without losing their seats.
The party relies on Sections 68(1)(g) and 68(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, concerning members of the National Assembly, as well as Sections 109(1)(g) and 109(2), which apply to state lawmakers.
It argues that the constitutional exceptions do not apply because the NNPP has neither merged with another political party nor ceased to exist.
The party is also seeking appropriate steps by the relevant legislative authorities, including declaring the affected seats vacant and conducting bye-elections if the court rules that the seats have been forfeited.
The NNPP says it is prepared to participate in any bye-elections ordered in accordance with the law.
NNPP challenges resignation records
The party further relies on provisions of its constitution, including Articles 8.2(a), 8.2(b) and 8.3(a), which it says require lawmakers to obtain clearance from its Board of Trustees before leaving the party.
It also cited decisions of the Abia State High Court delivered on November 1, 2024, and the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division, delivered on March 30, 2026, which it says affirmed the authority of its Board of Trustees and founder in party administration.
Before filing the suit, the NNPP wrote to INEC on October 19, 2026, asking the commission to investigate the alleged defections and the circumstances surrounding the lawmakers’ purported resignations.
The party’s founder and Board of Trustees chairman, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, warned against attempts to backdate resignation documents to regularise the lawmakers’ alleged exits.
Aniebonam said the party would oppose any effort to retrospectively validate resignations that had not complied with its procedures, adding that falsifying such records would amount to criminal conduct.
Party raises concerns ahead of 2027 polls
In its letter to INEC, the NNPP also named Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, 18 members of the House of Representatives, 28 state assembly members and two senators as politicians it alleged had failed to meet its resignation requirements.
The party expressed concern that individuals who allegedly remained on its membership register could also be recognised as members or candidates of other parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
The affidavit supporting the current suit was deposed to by Junia Oludare, a litigation secretary with Lex Firma LP, at the Federal High Court Registry in Abuja on October 27, 2026.
The allegations are before the court for determination.
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