The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has issued a series of fresh orders, unequivocally restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing, engaging with, or dealing with any faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) other than the legitimate leadership headed by Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major. These crucial directives aim to resolve a protracted internal battle for control of the NNPP, which has seen multiple litigations across various jurisdictions since 2023.

Justice Bello Kawu, presiding over High Court No. 14, Apo, granted these orders on November 25 and 27, 2025, in response to two separate ex parte applications filed by the NNPP. The party accused a rival faction, led by Dr. Ajuju Ahmed and others, of attempting to mislead the electoral commission despite existing court judgments that consistently affirmed the Agbo Major leadership.

In the initial ruling delivered on November 25, 2025, the court granted the NNPP leave to apply for a judicial review by way of mandamus. Importantly, Justice Kawu stipulated that this leave would operate as a stay on any contrary or inconsistent action, recognition, or communication by INEC or the respondents concerning the party’s leadership. To expedite the resolution, the court also ordered an accelerated hearing and abridged timelines for all parties to file their processes, setting December 10, 2025, as the date for the substantive hearing.

A subsequent ruling on November 27, 2025, further fortified these orders. It permitted substituted service on 16 respondents through the NNPP National Secretariat in Abuja. Moreover, the court explicitly restrained INEC—including its officers and departments—from monitoring, attending, or participating in any congress or convention organized by the factional group until the main suit is definitively determined. Key members of this restrained factional group include Dr. Ajuju Ahmed, Hon. Abba Kawu Ali, Prince Nwaeze Onu, Hon. Aladipo Alayokun, Ladipo Johnson, Arc. Mohammed Abacha, and Mustapha Alkassim, among others.

Following these significant court orders, the NNPP’s legal team promptly notified the newly appointed INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, of the binding directives. In a letter dated November 26, 2025, the party congratulated the chairman and underscored the imperative for strict compliance with all judicial orders governing the ongoing leadership dispute. The NNPP reminded the Commission that several prior judgments—including those from the High Court of Abia State (HUZ/11/2024) and the FCT High Court (FCT/HC/CV/5518/2024)—had already affirmed the validity of the national convention that produced Dr. Agbo Major as National Chairman, while simultaneously dismissing attempts by the Ahmed-led faction to usurp control of the party.

Despite these preceding judgments, the NNPP alleged that INEC had previously extended recognition and engagement to the factional group. This engagement reportedly occurred even after an “unauthorised and illegal” letter dated October 31, 2025, was sent to the Commission by Dr. Ajuju Ahmed and Dipo Olayoku, purporting to notify INEC of planned party congresses and a national convention. The party vehemently insisted that these individuals possess “no authority, standing or legal relationship” with the NNPP, cautioning that any attempt by INEC to engage them would constitute willful disobedience of subsisting court orders and a direct violation of Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution. The letter cited the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu, emphasizing that no public authority is permitted to place itself above judicial directives or foist a fait accompli upon the courts.

Justice Kawu’s orders categorically bar INEC from uploading, publishing, or recognizing any party logo, communication, or document originating from the factional respondents pending the final determination of the judicial review. The court directed the NNPP to serve all processes on the respondents within five days of the order, while the respondents were given five days thereafter to file their counter-affidavits. The NNPP may then file a reply within three days. Furthermore, the NNPP demanded that INEC, as a matter of necessity, upload the Dr. Agbo Major Gilbert and Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday-led NWC executive of the party to its official website and restore the party’s original logo and colour within 48 hours of receiving the enrolment order, ensuring that no vacuum in governance would hinder party administration before the next adjourned date of December 10, 2025.