Court affirms Agbo Major as NNPP leader, bars INEC from recognising rival faction

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has issued new orders reaffirming Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major as the legitimate National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), while restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any rival faction.

Justice Bello Kawu of High Court No. 14, Apo, delivered the directives on November 25 and 27, 2025, following two ex parte applications filed by the NNPP.

According to the party, a faction led by Dr. Ajuju Ahmed and his allies has continued to approach INEC with claims to the party’s leadership despite multiple existing judgments recognising Major as chairman.

In the November 25 ruling, the court granted the NNPP leave to apply for judicial review via an order of mandamus.

The judge ruled that the leave would operate as a stay against any conflicting action or recognition by INEC or the respondents.

He also ordered accelerated hearing and abridged timelines, fixing December 10, 2025, for the substantive case.

Two days later, on November 27, Justice Kawu allowed substituted service on 16 respondents through the NNPP’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

He further barred INEC and its officials from attending, monitoring, or participating in any congress or convention organised by the Ahmed-led faction until the suit is decided.

Those restrained include key figures of the factional group such as Ajuju Ahmed, Abba Kawu Ali, Prince Nwaeze Onu, Ladipo Johnson, Mohammed Abacha, and Mustapha Alkassim.

Following the rulings, the NNPP’s legal team wrote to the newly appointed INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), urging the Commission to comply strictly with all binding court orders relating to the party’s leadership tussle.

In the letter dated November 26, the party noted that several judgments — including decisions of the Abia State High Court (HUZ/11/2024) and the FCT High Court (FCT/HC/CV/5518/2024) — had already upheld the national convention that produced Agbo Major as chairman, while dismissing attempts by the Ahmed group to take control of the party.

Despite this, the NNPP accused INEC of previously acknowledging the faction after receiving an “unauthorised and illegal” letter dated October 31, 2025, from Ajuju Ahmed and Dipo Olayoku, purportedly notifying the Commission of planned congresses.

The party insisted the individuals had no legal standing within the NNPP, warning that any engagement by INEC with them would amount to disobedience of court orders and a breach of Section 287(3) of the Constitution.

Citing the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu, the NNPP reminded INEC that no public authority may act contrary to judicial directives or attempt to undermine ongoing legal proceedings.

Justice Kawu’s latest orders bar INEC from uploading, publishing, or recognising any communication, logo, or document issued by the factional group pending the court’s final decision.

The court directed the NNPP to serve all processes within five days, after which the respondents must file counter-affidavits within the same timeframe. The NNPP may respond within three days.

The suit has been adjourned to December 10, 2025, for hearing.