By Juliet Umeh

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and some lawmakers elected on its platform in 2023 have not completed the constitutional procedures required to resign from the party.

The party made the position known in a letter to INEC jointly signed by its National Chairman, Dr Agbo Major, and National Secretary-General, Mr Oginni Olaposi, on Monday.

Titled “Purported Resignation of Membership of the NNPP by Certain Elected Public Office Holders—Formal Notice of Non-Compliance with the Party Constitution and Applicable Electoral Laws,” the letter challenged the validity of the reported resignations.

The NNPP said the affected officeholders, who secured their mandates under its platform, had allegedly failed to comply with the procedures stipulated for the lawful termination of party membership.

“The Constitution of the NNPP (2023, as amended) contains provisions governing the resignation of members, while the Electoral Act, 2026 (as amended), regulates relevant aspects of political party membership, nomination and participation in elections,” the letter stated.

The party maintained that the provisions governing resignation from political parties could not be disregarded at the discretion of individual members, particularly those who secured elective positions through its platform.

According to the NNPP, it does not recognise the purported resignations of the affected officeholders as validly completed and maintains that its membership records have not been lawfully altered in their respect.

The party said it was not opposed to members choosing to join other political parties but insisted that such decisions must follow due process.

It also objected to any attempt by the affected politicians to rely on the reported resignations to claim membership of, or seek nomination under, another registered political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The NNPP listed 18 members of the House of Representatives, 27 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and the governor among those it said had yet to complete the required procedures.

“Membership of a registered political party is governed by its constitution and applicable law, and cannot be terminated by mere political declaration or unilateral conduct in disregard of the prescribed constitutional procedures,” the party stated.

It added that publicly announcing an intention to leave a party or participating in the activities of another political platform did not, by itself, establish that the prescribed resignation procedures had been fulfilled.

The party urged INEC not to treat the reported resignations or changes in party affiliation as settled matters without considering its official membership records and the relevant legal requirements.

It further called on the commission to ensure that any nomination or sponsorship involving the affected politicians for the 2027 elections complied with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act and other applicable laws.

The NNPP asked INEC to formally acknowledge its objection and take it into consideration when reviewing relevant correspondence, documentation and nomination processes involving the politicians.

The party also said it reserved the right to pursue legal remedies, including court proceedings, to protect its interests and challenge actions it considers inconsistent with its constitution and applicable laws.

Explaining its position on membership records, the NNPP said its national secretary-general, as head of the national secretariat, was responsible for maintaining the party’s membership register.

It argued that the national chairman and secretary-general were the appropriate officials to confirm the membership status of individuals to INEC.

The party further stated that the affected politicians remained members of the NNPP as of the time the Abia State High Court sitting in Uzuakoli delivered its judgment, unless their status had subsequently been cleared by the party’s national secretariat.

The NNPP concluded by warning that simultaneous membership of two political parties for electoral purposes could contravene applicable electoral laws and guidelines.

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