The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has taken its dispute with 45 alleged defectors to the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking a ruling on whether the lawmakers can retain their seats after leaving the party.
Titiansloaded reports that the party is challenging the lawmakers’ continued occupation of legislative positions they secured on its platform during the 2023 general elections. The case involves members of the Kano State House of Assembly, the House of Representatives and the Senate.
At the centre of the legal battle is the NNPP’s claim that the lawmakers failed to complete the necessary steps for ending their party membership before joining other political platforms.
The party has consequently asked the court to clarify the constitutional rules governing lawmakers who abandon the political parties through which they were elected.
The dispute has extended to preparations for the 2027 elections. According to the NNPP, some of the lawmakers have already been listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as candidates of other parties.
The party is questioning the validity of those nominations, arguing that the alleged defectors’ departure from the NNPP was not properly concluded.
In a letter sent to INEC on October 19, 2026, the party requested an investigation into the lawmakers’ alleged resignations and subsequent movement to other parties. It also raised concerns that some individuals allegedly remained on the NNPP’s membership register while being registered elsewhere.
The NNPP said the lawmakers did not obtain the required clearance from its Board of Trustees or follow its internal electoral rules before leaving. It cited Articles 8.2(a), 8.2(b) and 8.3(a) of its constitution in support of its claims.
The party’s founder and Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, has separately warned against attempts to backdate resignation letters to regularise the alleged defections.
Aniebonam said the NNPP would not recognise resignation documents altered to give the impression that the lawmakers had complied with the required procedures. He warned that falsifying such records could amount to a criminal offence.
The court is now being asked to determine the legal implications of the alleged defections, including the lawmakers’ eligibility to retain their seats and contest under other political parties in 2027.
