By Abdullahi Sarki
The leadership crisis rocking the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has deepened as one faction petitioned the National Peace Committee to urgently intervene over what it described as the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) refusal to recognise its authentic candidates and release the nomination portal access code ahead of the forthcoming general election.
The faction warned that INEC’s continued refusal to grant access to the nomination portal amounts to unlawful exclusion of its candidates from the electoral process, posing a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
In a petition dated August 2, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), through its solicitors O.I.B. Oyewale & Co. (Ayoka-Okin Chambers), the NNPP urged the committee to prevail on INEC to immediately recognise candidates produced from its monitored primaries and release the access code needed to complete their nomination.
The party argued that it had fully complied with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s guidelines by conducting ward, local government, state, and national congresses, as well as primaries, under the supervision of INEC officials.
According to the petition, there has been no judicial or administrative declaration invalidating the congresses or primaries, insisting that every aspirant satisfied statutory requirements. It added that its membership register was submitted to INEC on May 9, 2026, in line with the Commission’s rules.
Despite this compliance, the party alleged that INEC has “inexplicably refused” to release the nomination portal access code, preventing its candidates from uploading particulars within the statutory timeline.
The NNPP warned that the refusal amounts to indirect deregistration of a duly registered political party through administrative action, contrary to the Electoral Act and constitutional principles of fairness and equal opportunity.
It alleged that vested interests and former members were working to undermine its fortunes and weaken Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
While acknowledging litigation involving another faction, the NNPP insisted that the pending case should not justify denying its authentic candidates access to the nomination process.
The party urged INEC to convene a meeting involving all stakeholders to resolve administrative concerns, stressing that only duly recognised state chairmen are authorised to submit nomination forms.
Appealing to the National Peace Committee, the NNPP said democracy thrives only when registered parties that comply with the law are given equal opportunity to participate in elections.
The party specifically urged the committee to persuade INEC to examine its records, recognise authentic candidates from INEC-monitored primaries, release the nomination portal access code, and ensure its candidates are not unlawfully excluded.
It stressed that time was running out, warning that every passing day reduced the opportunity available to its candidates to comply with INEC’s timetable.
The NNPP maintained that prompt intervention by the Peace Committee would avert injustice, strengthen public confidence in the electoral process, and reinforce democratic institutions.
The latest petition followed an earlier letter submitted to INEC on July 16, 2026, demanding immediate release of the access code and notifying the Commission of its intention to seek legal redress.
The party warned that if INEC fails to act, it would have no option but to seek judicial intervention to protect its constitutional rights and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
Recall that the NNPP has been embroiled in leadership disputes. In May 2026, the National Executive Committee ratified Bala Mohammed as Acting National Chairman following Dr. Ajuji Ahmed’s resignation.
On July 21, Dr. Agbo Major, claiming INEC recognition, announced the upload of the party’s presidential candidate’s details on the INEC portal, with governorship and assembly candidates’ details being processed.
He noted that the party had also secured restoration of its original logo on the INEC portal after a legal dispute, describing the development as a victory for constitutional democracy.
