NNPP Opposes Backdated Resignations, Warns Against Records Falsification.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, has posited that it will not backdate the resignation of members who failed to complete the party’s prescribed withdrawal process before its letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The party also warned individuals approaching its leadership to seek backdated resignation records to desist, describing the act as falsification of records and a criminal offence.
This was contained in a statement signed by the NNPP Founder and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, on Sunday.
Aniebonam said the party would not succumb to pressure from members seeking to regularise their incomplete resignation processes, insisting that the proper procedures must be followed in accordance with the party’s constitution and relevant laws.
The NNPP was reacting to reports that some elected officials affected by its letter to INEC had approached the party leadership to request that their resignations be backdated.
Recall that the party, in a letter dated Monday, October 19, informed INEC that Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, 18 members of the House of Representatives, 28 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and two senators elected on its platform in 2023 had not fulfilled the constitutional requirements for resignation.
The letter, jointly signed by the NNPP National Chairman, Dr Agbo Major, and its National Secretary, Mr Oginni Olaposi, stated that the affected officials, who had moved to other political parties and were preparing for the 2027 general elections, had failed to comply with the procedures for lawful termination of their membership.
According to Aniebonam, the party had advised those who approached its leadership to return to their respective wards and begin the resignation process afresh, ensuring that all necessary documentation was completed.
He stressed that the party was not seeking to prevent anyone from joining another political party but insisted that resignation must be properly documented in line with the law.
The NNPP founder added that the party would produce its records if required in any post-election litigation involving the affected officials, noting that the party remained committed to protecting its constitution and institutional integrity.
He further disclosed that the party would update its letter to INEC to include some members elected on its platform in Katsina and Jigawa states who allegedly failed to complete their resignation processes.
Aniebonam also maintained that members who could not provide valid records of their resignation would still be regarded as NNPP members and, consequently, could not validly contest the 2027 general elections on another party’s platform.
He, however, said members who had been expelled from the party, including Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima, were exempted from the resignation dispute.
The statement further noted that the NNPP had secured favourable judgments from the Abia State High Court in Uzuakoli, the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja and the Court of Appeal in Owerri, which the party said restored its recognition by INEC, its original logo and its ability to field candidates for the 2027 general elections.