By Sunday Ani
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has said that the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf and members of the House of Representatives, as well as those for the Kano State House of Assembly elected on its platform in 2023, did not complete the constitutional requirements for resignation from the party.
This was contained in a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), jointly signed by the party’s national chairman, Dr Agbo Major and General Secretary, Mr Oginni Olaposi today.
The letter is titled, ‘Purported resignation of membership of the NNPP by certain elected public office holders formal notice of non-compliance with the party’s constitution and applicable electoral laws.’
Part of the letter read: “We write to formally inform the commission of the purported resignation and subsequent political activities of certain elected public office holders, who obtained their respective mandates on the platform of our great party but have failed to comply with the prescribed procedures for lawful termination of their 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.
“These provisions are not intended to be observed selectively or disregarded at the convenience of individual members, particularly persons who attained elective public office through the sponsorship, structures and electoral platform of the party.
“It is the considered position of the party that the elected members have not complied with the constitutional requirements governing resignation from the party.
“Consequently, the party does not recognise their purported resignations as having been validly effected and maintains that its membership records have not been lawfully altered in respect of the affected persons.”
It noted that while it is not against the desire of any member to their choice of political parties, due process must be followed to the letters.
“The NNPP strongly objects to attempt by the affected persons to rely upon the purported resignations, which have not been properly effected or communicated to the appropriate organs of the party as basis for claiming membership of, or seeking nomination by another registered political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
It stated that 18 members of the house of representatives, 27 members of the Kano state house of assembly and the governor, among others, elected on the NNPP’s platform still need to complete the constitutional requirements.
“We wish to state that 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 fact that an individual may have publicly announced an intention to leave the party, or commenced political activities with another party, does not, without more establish compliance with the party’s constitution.
“The NNPP disputes the validity of their purported resignation on the ground of non-compliance with the applicable provisions of its constitution.
“INEC should not treat any alleged resignation or change of party membership as an undisputed fact without due consideration of the party’s official membership records and the applicable legal requirements.”
According to the party, any attempt by the affected persons to secure nomination or sponsorship by another political party for the 2027 general elections should be subjected to the requirements of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act and other applicable laws.
“The commission should formally acknowledge and take cognisance of this objection in its consideration of any relevant correspondence, documentation or nomination processes concerning the affected persons.
“The NNPP will not acquiesce in any attempt to circumvent its Constitution or undermine the integrity of its membership records and internal democratic processes.
“The party reserves the right to pursue all appropriate legal remedies, including judicial proceedings, to protect its constitutional rights and challenge any action taken in contravention of applicable law.
“We, therefore, urge the commission to ensure that its statutory processes are not employed to give effect to any purported change of party membership or candidature that is shown to be inconsistent with the law.
“Membership register of political parties are kept by the secretary general as the head of the national secretariat of the party.
“The implication of this is that it is only the national chairman and secretary general of our party that can confirm who is our member or not to INEC.
“Technically, all the listed members above duly elected under the platform of NNPP in the 2023 general elections are still our members as of the time Abia State High Court, Uzuakoli, delivered its judgment, except otherwise cleared from our national secretariat.
“It is trite to note that it shall be an offence against the electoral laws and guidelines to belong to two different political parties at the same time for the purposes of elections,” the party added.
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