NNPP drags INEC, seeks Abdulsalami committee’s intervention over candidates’ nomination

A faction of the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) has escalated its dispute with Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), seeking intervention from the National Peace Committee led by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retired). The party alleges that INEC has unlawfully excluded its candidates from the upcoming general election by refusing to provide access codes necessary for submitting nominations via the commission's online portal. This move comes amid growing tensions between the NNPP and INEC, which have already seen threats of legal action from the party. The NNPP filed a formal petition on August 2, 2026, addressed to General Abdulsalami Abubakar, requesting his committee to mediate between the party and INEC. According to the document, the NNPP claims it has adhered strictly to the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC regulations by conducting ward, local government, state, and national congresses under the commission's supervision. These events, including primary elections, were carried out with INEC officials present, ensuring compliance with all procedural requirements. The petition highlights that no judicial or administrative body has declared these processes invalid. It further states that each candidate met the statutory criteria, including being a registered party member for at least 21 days prior to the primaries. The NNPP asserts that it submitted its membership register to INEC on May 9, 2026, in accordance with the commission's guidelines. Despite this, the party claims INEC has inexplicably withheld the access code required to upload candidate information within the designated timeframe. The NNPP warns that INEC's actions could amount to an indirect deregistration of the party through administrative measures, violating both the Electoral Act and constitutional principles of participatory democracy, fairness, and equal political opportunity. The party suggests that this situation arises from efforts by former members and other interested parties aiming to undermine its position and destabilize Nigeria's multiparty system. While acknowledging ongoing litigation involving a different faction of the party, the NNPP insists that the pending court case should not justify withholding access to the nomination process for its legitimate candidates. The party urges INEC to hold discussions with all relevant stakeholders and factions to address any administrative issues, emphasizing that only recognized state chairmen are authorized to submit nomination forms according to the commission's guidelines. In its appeal to the National Peace Committee, the NNPP argues that true democracy requires equal opportunities for all registered political parties complying with the law to participate in elections without facing discrimination or administrative barriers. The party specifically requests the committee to review INEC's records regarding its congresses and primaries, recognize the candidates who emerged from these INEC-monitored events, and promptly release the access code to facilitate the submission of nominations.