During a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Dr. Ajuji Ahmed, the National Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), firmly asserted his leadership, rejecting claims of a rival faction. He stressed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially recognizes him as the party’s leader and addressed recent controversies regarding the party’s status and activities.
He directed attention to INEC’s website, urging Nigerians and media outlets to independently verify the party’s officially recognized details. Dr. Ahmed confirmed clearly that the NNPP remains under his leadership, guided by the National Working Committee (NWC) inaugurated in 2022. He explained that the authentic NNPP logo features the slogan Education for All, along with red, white, and red colors, a book, and an academic cap.
The NNPP Chairman addressed reports circulating about a supposed rival National Convention held in Lagos. He rejected this gathering as an unauthorized meeting, emphasizing that the party has not held any convention outside its official headquarters in Abuja. “We did not hold any convention this year in any hotel lobby in Lagos,” Dr. Ahmed declared. He also denied any connection between the NNPP and operations in Apapa, stating, The NNPP has no operations in Apapa, and any claims to the contrary are false.
Dr. Ahmed accused certain former NNPP members of trying to weaken the party, potentially with support from outside political interests ahead of the 2027 elections. He stated that these individuals were involved in actions against the party after the 2023 general election, which resulted in their expulsion following proper disciplinary procedures. “They have been moving from one place to another, filing multiple court cases, only to face repeated defeats,” Dr. Ahmed said, citing court rulings in Abuja, Ekiti, Port Harcourt, Awka, Kano, and Katsina.
The Abuja Federal High Court in April 2024 ruled that the expelled members were illegitimate representatives and prohibited them from acting on behalf of the NNPP. Despite this decision, Dr. Ahmed noted that they proceeded with an unauthorized gathering in Lagos, blatantly ignoring a court injunction issued by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on January 16, 2025. He further revealed that INEC has initiated legal action to disassociate itself from any knowledge of the alleged convention in Apapa, emphasizing that, under Nigerian law, INEC’s oversight of political party activities is mandatory for official recognition.
The biggest threat to any democracy is a failure to uphold the rule of law, Dr. Ahmed warned, suggesting that hidden forces are working to undermine opposition parties. He urged NNPP members nationwide to stay strong and focused, ignoring attempts by the expelled individuals to create division. Dr. Ahmed emphasized that the NNPP’s NWC, inaugurated in April 2022 with a mandate lasting until April 2026, remains committed to representing the people and strengthening democracy.
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