The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has stated that a delay by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in uploading the party’s current leadership information on its electronic platform is affecting the party’s nationwide membership registration drive, the party’s founder said on Thursday in Lagos.
Dr Boniface Aniebonam, founder and Chairman of the NNPP Board of Trustees, said the delay in updating the party’s leadership details on the INEC portal has slowed the party’s membership e‑registration, which is required for political parties to participate in the 2027 general elections.
INEC had earlier directed registered political parties to ensure that their electronic membership registration systems are functional nationwide as part of preparations for the 2027 elections.
In the statement, Aniebonam said INEC has not yet complied with a court order directing it to recognise the Agbo Major‑led National Working Committee (NWC) of the NNPP, and this is affecting the party’s ability to upload the leadership data on the commission’s website.
He said the delay “led to NNPP not fielding candidates in some elections in the past, which is regrettable and embarrassing,” adding that party members, especially those intending to contest political offices, are concerned about the party’s ability to participate fully in the 2027 polls.
Aniebonam noted that the NNPP portal is open and that registration has begun for existing and new members nationwide, and he urged the party’s stakeholders to remain patient while the matter is resolved.
“We are optimistic that INEC will do the needful without further delay, and it’s our hope that members who left the party in the wake of defections shall return,” Aniebonam said in the statement.
He also referred to the exit of Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State and others, noting that such departures stemmed from ongoing legal cases involving the party, and expressed hope for a stronger showing by the NNPP in 2027.
Aniebonam reiterated that Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate, and his followers, including Elder Buba Galadima, remain expelled from the party for what the party described as anti‑party activities.
INEC’s electronic registration directive applies to all registered political parties as part of the preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The commission’s e‑registration system is intended to help political parties maintain updated and verifiable membership databases.
Internal leadership disputes within political parties have, in other cases, led to court interventions and INEC recognition issues.
Separately, a Federal High Court recently ordered INEC to register the National Democratic Party (NDP) after ruling that the party met legal requirements for registration.
The NNPP’s statement suggests that unresolved administrative and legal recognition issues could pose challenges for the party’s statutory compliance with INEC registration requirements ahead of the 2027 elections.
The commission’s publishing of leadership data on its portal is a key step for parties to validate membership data and to maintain active status for electoral participation.
