By Sandra Chukwunyere
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has rejected attempts to backdate the resignations of members who failed to complete the required procedures before its October 19 letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that falsifying party records amounts to criminality.
The party said it would not succumb to pressure from elected officials seeking to backdate their incomplete resignation processes, insisting that all members must comply with its constitution and relevant electoral laws.
According to a statement signed by its Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, on Sunday, the party also warned individuals approaching its leaders to seek backdated resignation records to desist from the practice.
The NNPP was reacting to reports that some elected officials affected by its letter to INEC had approached the party leadership to request that their resignation dates be backdated.
In the October 19 letter, the party informed INEC that Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, 18 members of the House of Representatives, 28 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and two senators elected on its platform in 2023 had not fulfilled the constitutional requirements for resignation.
The letter, jointly signed by the NNPP National Chairman, Dr Agbo Major, and National Secretary, Mr Oginni Olaposi, stated that the affected officials, who had moved to other political parties and were seeking to contest the 2027 general elections, had not complied with the prescribed procedures for lawful resignation.
The party said it had advised those who approached its leadership to return to their respective wards and begin the resignation process, ensuring that they properly documented it in accordance with the NNPP constitution.
“We are not scheming for any member to return, but the right process must be followed to the letters. We believe in the rights of people to choose where they wish to belong, but it must be properly documented as required by law,” the statement said.
The NNPP cited its Constitution (2023, as amended), the Electoral Act, 2026 (as amended), and the Constitution of Nigeria as the legal framework governing party membership and resignation procedures.
It maintained that elected officials could not disregard these requirements after securing public office through the party’s platform, structures and electoral support.
The party also disclosed plans to update its letter to INEC to include some members elected on its platform in Katsina and Jigawa states who allegedly failed to complete their resignation processes.
It said it would provide relevant records if post-election litigation required it to establish whether the affected officials had lawfully resigned from the party.
According to the statement, some elected officials submit resignation letters at their ward levels during internal party crises but fail to ensure that the national secretariat records and documents their departures.
The NNPP maintained that the national secretary has the responsibility to keep the register of party members nationwide, stressing that proper documentation and material evidence remain essential to establishing a valid resignation.
The party also criticised elected officials who announced their resignations during legislative plenary sessions or left their parties without formally notifying the relevant leadership.
It argued that such practices could leave officials with unresolved membership records while seeking to contest elections under other political parties.
The NNPP said members expelled from the party, including Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima, were exempt from the resignation dispute.
The party further cited victories at the Abia State High Court in Uzuakoli, the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja and the Court of Appeal in Owerri, which it said secured full recognition by INEC, restoration of its original logo and the right to field candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The NNPP warned that officials who could not produce valid records of resignation would remain members of the party and, according to its position, could not contest the 2027 general elections on the platform of another political party.
