Abuja: The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has successfully uploaded details of its 2027 presidential placeholder candidate, along with 355 National Assembly candidates, onto the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal, despite stringent deadlines.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, announced this development at a news conference in Abuja. Major described the accomplishment as historic, particularly in light of the time constraints caused by the delayed compliance with court orders by INEC in recognizing the authentic leadership of the party, led by its founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam. He also confirmed that INEC had fully restored the original NNPP identity and logo, featuring a basket of fruits on the Nigerian map, on its candidate nomination portal.
“In spite of the initial delays, our situation room successfully uploaded a total of 355 National Assembly candidates, including placeholders across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Terri
tory. We have also completed the upload of our presidential candidate as a placeholder, in line with legal and electoral guidelines,” Major stated. He further mentioned that the uploading of governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates had commenced and was scheduled for completion by August 8, ahead of the window for candidate substitution.
Major emphasized that these efforts were more than just administrative tasks. “They represent the strengthening of our structures and scope, the consolidation of our membership base, and our readiness to provide purposeful leadership for Nigeria,” he said. However, he criticized INEC for what he termed non-compliance with judicial pronouncements in a timely manner, stating that the delay had posed logistical challenges for the party’s preparations.
He disclosed that the party’s legal team had been instructed to approach the Federal High Court to demand N10 billion in damages from the commission for late compliance with court orders. “The FCT High Court directed
INEC to update our leadership status within 72 hours and file an affidavit of compliance within 14 days. The failure to comply promptly caused significant disruption to our 2027 timetable,” he explained. Major clarified that the lawsuit was not aimed at the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, or any individuals, but was intended to serve as a deterrent for government institutions that delay in obeying court orders.
Major called on party members, women, youths, and diaspora groups to remain united and take advantage of the ongoing membership registration to fortify the party’s structures across all electoral wards nationwide. “The NNPP stands for justice, equity, inclusiveness, accountability, and good governance. We remain committed to policies that will improve the welfare of the people, create jobs for our youths, empower women, promote national unity, and ensure sustainable economic growth,” Major concluded.