By Adekunle Williams
Members of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Wednesday, stormed the office of its founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam in Apapa, Lagos, to celebrate their win in an Abuja High Court, against the Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso-led group.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the members were seen dancing and thanking God for their win at the court.
The Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja on Tuesday, compelled INEC to recognise the Agbo Major led National Working Committee of the NNPP and reject the Kwankwasiya Movement faction of the NNPP, led by Kwankwaso, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
NAN reports that the litigations have continued to trail ownership and leadership issues in the NNPP.
Recall that in a swift reaction on Tuesday, the Kwankwasiya Movement in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Ladipo Johnson, said the judgment represented
a dangerous low in the nation’s judicial history.
Johnson said the judgment, delivered by Justice Bello Kawu, was “patently illegal and logically defiant, saying the group will appeal it.
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, Aniebonam said that it was sad that a lawyer like Johnson should join faceless commentators to deride and attack judges.
“As a lawyer, Johnson should have known that they cannot approach an Appeal Court again over the judgment because an appeal on the NNPP matter is also pending at the Appeal Court in Owerri, Imo.
“Johnson should have known that they cannot approach any other appeal court as a lawyer, pending outcome of the appeal court in Owerri.
“If they do, it shall amount to abuse of court processes.
“It is on record that the ruling and judgment delivered by Justice Kawu was based on judicial complaint to compel INEC to obey judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja.
“Using acerbic utterances against Judges because you lost a case is most unfortunate and regrettable.”
Aniebonam noted that he registered the NNPP in 2001, while Kwankwaso, elder Buba Galadima and the Kwankwasiya Movement joined the party in 2022, based on a Memorandum of Understanding.
“Today, Kwankwaso and Galadima are fighting hard to hijack NNPP, ‘ even after the memorandum ended and they were expelled from the party.
“The victory of the judicial review can now explain to the people of Kano State, the real reason why Gov. Abbah Yusuf defected to the APC, citing escalating court cases.”(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
WAC/CHOM
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma
