NNPP Rejects Backdated Resignations, Warns Defecting Politicians
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has rejected moves by some of its former members to backdate their resignation letters, insisting that all membership exits must comply with the party’s constitution and applicable electoral laws.
The party warned that falsifying resignation records would amount to criminal conduct, urging individuals allegedly approaching its leaders to facilitate such arrangements to desist.
The position was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s founder and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Dr Boniface Aniebonam.
Aniebonam said the party would not bow to pressure from elected officials who failed to complete the required resignation procedures before the NNPP formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the alleged irregularities.
He explained that some individuals who recently approached the party leadership had been advised to return to their respective wards and begin the resignation process afresh, ensuring that the necessary documentation was completed in accordance with the party’s constitution.
The controversy follows a letter the NNPP sent to INEC on October 19, alleging that Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, 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 not fulfilled the requirements for lawful resignation from the party.
The letter, jointly signed by the NNPP National Chairman, Dr Agbo Major, and its General Secretary, Mr Oginni Olaposi, informed the commission that the affected individuals had subsequently engaged in political activities under other parties and were preparing to contest the 2027 general elections.
According to the letter, the politicians had failed to comply with the prescribed procedures for terminating their NNPP membership.
“We write to formally inform the commission of the purported resignation and subsequent political activities of certain elected public office holders, who obtained their respective mandates on the platform of our great party but have failed to comply with prescribed procedures for lawful termination of their membership,” the letter stated.
The party maintained that its position was not an attempt to prevent members from joining other political parties but a demand for strict adherence to established procedures.
“We believe in the rights of people to choose where they wish to belong, but it must be properly documented as required by law,” Aniebonam said.
He added that the NNPP would make its records available if the issue resulted in post-election litigation involving the eligibility of the affected politicians to contest under other parties.
The party also disclosed plans to update its letter to INEC to include some members elected on its platform in Katsina and Jigawa states who allegedly failed to complete their resignation processes.
Aniebonam said the NNPP was uncertain about the options still available to the affected individuals but would attend to those willing to complete the process in accordance with its rules.
He cited the NNPP Constitution, the Electoral Act and the Constitution of Nigeria as the legal frameworks governing political party membership and resignation.
According to him, some elected politicians have developed the practice of claiming to have resigned by submitting letters at their ward levels without ensuring that the documents are properly recorded at their parties’ national secretariats.
He argued that such omissions could create disputes over whether a politician had legally ended their membership of a party.
“The national secretary has the mandate to keep the register of all members of each political party nationwide,” he said, stressing the importance of maintaining documentary evidence of resignation.
The NNPP founder also criticised politicians who announce their departure from political parties during legislative plenary sessions or leave without formally notifying the parties that sponsored their elections.
He described the practice as an abuse of the electoral process, arguing that it could create situations in which politicians are considered members of two political parties simultaneously.
However, the party said individuals who had been expelled were exempt from the resignation dispute, specifically mentioning Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima.
The NNPP further stated that it had secured favourable decisions from the Abia State High Court sitting in Uzuakoli, the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja and the Court of Appeal in Owerri, which it said strengthened its position regarding recognition by INEC, restoration of its original logo and participation in the 2027 general elections.
The party warned that politicians unable to produce valid records establishing their resignation could face questions over their eligibility to contest elections on the platforms of other parties.
“Betrayals, who cannot provide INEC with a valid record of resignation is deemed a member of NNPP, and cannot be a candidate of any other political party for the purposes of contesting the general elections in 2027,” the statement added.
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