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 the alleged defection of lawmakers elected on its platform in 2023 without completing their resignation processes.
The suit, filed through the party’s counsel, Lex Firma LP, seeks judicial interpretation and enforcement of constitutional provisions governing the defection of elected legislators from the political parties on whose platforms they secured their mandates.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the originating summons, the NNPP is challenging the alleged defection of 45 lawmakers, comprising members of the Kano State House of Assembly, the House of Representatives, and the Senate, who were elected on its platform in the 2023 general elections.
The party alleged that the affected lawmakers abandoned the NNPP and joined other political parties while still occupying the legislative seats they secured under its platform, without following the procedures required for terminating their membership.
The NNPP further alleged that some of the lawmakers had already been listed by INEC as candidates of other parties for the 2027 general elections, raising questions about the legality of their nominations and their continued occupation of their current legislative seats.
Specifically, the party identified several Kano State lawmakers whose names reportedly appeared on INEC’s list as candidates for other parties in the 2027 State House of Assembly elections.
In a letter dated Oct. 19 addressed to INEC, the party stated that it had drawn the commission’s attention to the alleged defections and requested an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the lawmakers’ purported resignations and subsequent membership in other parties.
It expressed concern that the affected legislators still have their names on the NNPP membership register while simultaneously being registered as members of other parties-a situation it argued violates statutory provisions regulating political party membership.
The party maintained that the alleged defections occurred without the requisite clearance from its Board of Trustees and electoral guidelines, citing Articles 8.2(a), 8.2(b), and 8.3(a) of its constitution.
The NNPP relied on judgments delivered by the Abia State High Court on Nov. 1, 2024, in Suit No. HUZ/11/2024, and the Court of Appeal on March 30, 2026, in Appeal No. CA/OW/271/2025, which it said affirmed the authority of its Board of Trustees and founder in matters relating to the party’s administration.
The party further argued that it had not merged with any political party nor ceased to exist as a registered entity, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the alleged defections do not fall within the constitutional exceptions permitting legislators to defect without forfeiting their seats.
Consequently, the party is seeking a judicial determination of the constitutional implications of the alleged defections under Sections 68(1)(g), 68(2), 109(1)(g), and 109(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
‘These provisions address circumstances under which members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly may lose their seats following a change of political party membership, subject to constitutionally recognized exceptions,’ the party stated.
‘We also want the relevant legislative authorities to be notified of the alleged defections and appropriate constitutional steps taken concerning the affected seats, including the possibility of declaring them vacant and conducting bye-elections.’
The NNPP added that it is prepared to participate in any bye-elections lawfully conducted in the affected constituencies.
The affidavit in support of the originating summons was deposed to by Junia Oludare, a litigation secretary with Lex Firma LP, and sworn to at the Federal High Court Registry, Abuja, on Oct. 27, 2026. (NAN)
Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the NNPP, stated that the party will not accept interventions to backdate the resignations of members who failed to complete the process before the party notified INEC of their alleged non-compliance.
He warned that any attempt to falsify resignation records would amount to criminality, urging individuals approaching party leaders for backdated documentation to desist immediately.
In its Oct. 19 letter to INEC, the NNPP alleged that Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, 18 members of the House of Representatives, 28 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, and two senators elected on its platform in 2023 had failed to fulfill the statutory requirements for lawful resignation.
According to the party, the affected politicians have since moved to other political parties and are pursuing political ambitions ahead of the 2027 general elections without completing the necessary resignation procedures.
The suit is expected to test the constitutional boundaries of political defection by elected lawmakers, the circumstances under which legislative seats may become vacant, and INEC’s responsibilities in ensuring compliance with electoral laws ahead of the 2027 general elections.