NNPP Factional Leader Accuses INEC Chairman of Undermining Democracy

The Agbo Major-led faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, of undermining Nigeria’s democracy.

Major made the allegation on Friday while speaking during an interview on News Central Television.

The factional NNPP leader also reiterated his group’s call for the resignation of the INEC chairman over what it described as the commission’s failure to comply with court judgments relating to the party’s leadership dispute.

According to Major, the NNPP’s original political strategy ahead of the 2023 general election was focused on securing legislative positions before the party’s presidential ambition was pursued.

He claimed that the decision to contest the presidency was initiated by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Rabi’u Kwankwaso.

Major maintained that his faction remained committed to lawful and democratic means of resolving the leadership crisis within the party.

“The biggest enemy of our democracy is the INEC chairman himself. Like I did say during the press conference, we are a law-abiding political party,” he said.

“We don’t intend to take laws into our hands, but what we have resolved to do is to shift it to the judiciary that has made its pronouncements.”

He argued that the courts had already taken positions on the dispute and had outlined what actions the electoral commission should take.

“They’ve taken their position on what they expect INEC to do. So, we have also shifted INEC to the court of public opinion, so that Nigerians will get to know that the biggest enemy of our democracy is the INEC chairman himself,” Major stated.

The NNPP faction has been involved in a prolonged leadership dispute, with rival groups laying claim to the control of the party following the 2023 general election.

As of the time of filing this report, INEC had not responded to the latest allegations made by the faction.