Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has revealed that its planned protest against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was cancelled to prevent hoodlums and political opponents from hijacking the demonstration and causing a breakdown of public order.
The party had earlier announced a peaceful protest scheduled for Jan. 20 in Abuja to demand that INEC upload the list of its authentic National Working Committee (NWC) members led by Dr. Agbo Major.
In a statement signed by the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the NNPP said that although it remains committed to compelling INEC to obey subsisting court orders, it would not do so at the expense of national peace.
“We are law-abiding citizens, and our pursuit of justice will always respect the peace and unity of Nigeria,” Aniebonam said. “We are deeply pained by INEC’s refusal to comply with valid court judgments, but we believe in following the lawful and peaceful path to ensure justice is served.”
He added that the party had “no alternative than to put off the protest for the peace of our country,” even as it continues to push for adherence to judicial directives.
The NNPP urged its members nationwide to remain calm and steadfast, assuring them that the matter would be resolved soon.
The party expressed concern that INEC has repeatedly disregarded clear court orders recognising the Agbo Major-led leadership. It noted that both the Abia High Court and the Federal Capital Territory High Court have directed INEC to stop dealing with the faction led by Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso pending the determination of an ongoing judicial review.
“The issue before the court is not a leadership tussle, but the termination of the Memorandum of Understanding between the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya Movement led by Sen. Kwankwaso,” the statement added.
“We approached the FCT High Court for a review because INEC has been unduly delaying the process of updating its records in line with the court’s judgments. We remain hopeful that justice will prevail soon.”