The National Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Ahmed Ajuji, has dismissed claims that the party is in crisis, insisting that those parading themselves as a faction have no legal standing in the organisation.
GKINGMUSIK reports that Ajuji, who stated this in a recent interview, described the lingering disputes as a desperate attempt by expelled members to hijack the party, revealing that none of their 18 court cases succeeded.
He described the crisis narrative as a misinterpretation, maintaining that the dissenting group are expelled members attempting to reclaim relevance through the courts.
While responding to questions on the alleged factional crisis, Ajuji stated that the rift began when some party members were summoned before a disciplinary committee for anti-party conduct.
“Those calling themselves a faction are people we asked to appear before a disciplinary committee for anti-party activities. But they refused to honour the invitation. That refusal triggered their suspension by the National Working Committee, and the decision was later ratified by the party’s National Executive Committee,” Ajuji told The PUNCH.
Ajuji explained that following their suspension, the NEC escalated the matter to the national convention, which approved their expulsion.
“The NEC referred their suspension to the National Convention of the party, and the convention expelled them from NNPP,” he added.
The chairman insisted that by the party’s constitution, as well as the Electoral Act, the expelled members have no legal or moral standing to claim NNPP authority.
“By the constitution of NNPP and the Electoral Act, those people have no locus standi in the party at all,” Ajuji asserted.
He urged Nigerians seeking clarity to verify NNPP’s status through the electoral umpire.
“If you want to clarify the rightful position of NNPP, check the Independent National Electoral Commission records; you will find our names there. We have been the ones fielding candidates. We are the legitimate leadership,” he noted.
Ajuji revealed that the expelled group initiated multiple legal actions across Nigeria, seeking to overturn their dismissal. He said, “At one point we had 18 cases with them. But out of the 18 cases, I cannot remember a single one that they won.”
He further described a controversial injunction obtained in Abia State as procedurally flawed, adding that NNPP was never informed or served in the legal process.
Ajuji said,“They went to one obscure court in Abia State and obtained an expedited ruling. Neither the court nor they served the proper NNPP with the proceedings or facts they filed.
“Before we realised what was happening, we started hearing they’d obtained an injunction restraining the proper NNPP, and that the judge ordered the party be handed over to them. We were shocked. That ruling was null and void, completely ultra vires and ultra vires in every sense.”
He confirmed that NNPP eventually challenged the ruling in the same Abia court and succeeded in having it set aside.
“We went back to the same court to appeal the ruling and, thankfully, the court set it aside. The court stated clearly that we must be properly served before the judge could continue. That is where we are right now with the Abia case,” he explained.
The chairman also spoke about another suit filed by NNPP in Abuja, seeking to permanently restrain the expelled members from parading themselves as party officials.
“We approached a court in Abuja praying it to restrain them from claiming membership or authority in perpetuity, especially as officials of NNPP. But the judge ruled that the matter was purely internal and that she had no jurisdiction,” Ajuji explained.
“They held onto that ruling and started saying the court decision meant they won. I honestly don’t know how a jurisdiction ruling can be interpreted as a legal victory for them,” he said, rejecting the narrative.
There Is No Controversies Over Congress
On alleged controversies surrounding the party’s ongoing congresses, Ajuji maintained that the same expelled group have been responsible for circulating misinformation.
“There is no controversy over the congress,” he said, before outlining party-registration realities in Nigeria.
“What baffles us is that they claimed the party was registered by an individual, and therefore that person ‘owns’ the party. That is nonsense, with respect,” he declared.
Ajuji drew parallels with older political parties to reinforce his argument.
He said, “The majority of those who founded PDP have left. Did PDP stop existing? Political parties are not business ventures. Once INEC registers a group, it becomes open to all Nigerians. Their noise is not genuine.
“We began the congress on Monday. No court stopped the process. The ward congress was held throughout the country. We will proceed based on the party constitution and electoral laws.”
Is NNPP Kwankwasiya Property?
Ajuji strongly disputed claims that NNPP belongs to the political bloc of Kwankwasiya or its national leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
“Every organisation can align with a political party; it doesn’t mean the party belongs to them,” he said.
He noted that several organisations, interest groups, and movements back NNPP but none owns it.
“I know the National Movement came into NNPP. Kwankwasiya is there. Others too. But I am the national chairman and I belong to no bloc. The claim that the party belongs to Kwankwasiya or is owned by a person is false. I don’t even belong to any group,” he said.
Kwankwaso A Backbone, But Not Owner
Ajuji acknowledged Kwankwaso’s role within NNPP but emphasised institutional supremacy over political icons.
He said, “Kwanlkwaso is simply one of our registered members.
“If NWC finds any member has violated party rules, the NWC can discipline that person, including Rabiu Kwankwaso. But we value his membership and political contributions. We recognise him as a key pillar of the party, but he does not own or control NNPP.”
On party funding, Ajuji revealed how a misunderstanding of political finances fuels internal disputes.
“Parties are not funded by one man. They survive on membership — registration fees paid on joining, and monthly dues paid into party coffers,” he said.
“So, the number of registered members determines the strength of the party’s finances and sustainability. We are member-funded from Kano to every ward in the South, East, West, and North.”
The chairman said the recent wave of defections does not weaken NNPP’s 2027 ambitions, describing political loyalty as a personal choice.
“Those leaving NNPP exit by personal interest, not because NNPP failed them. We hold no grudge. Politics is volatile, like a marketplace, today some may leave; tomorrow thousands may arrive,” Ajuji said.
“You may hear a hundred politicians defect today. Next week you may learn that 100,000 APC, PDP members just joined NNPP. We will do our best to win elections, regardless of who goes or comes.”
Alliance Talks, Coalition Plans
Ajuji explained that the NNPP is not limited in strategic choices as the 2027 elections approach, revealing discussions are active but not deterministic.
“We have always said that we have several options before 2027,” Ajuji said.
“We may contest alone. We may join a coalition. We may even back an individual with strong clout to run on our platform. We may even, as an option, want to join APC.”
“Discussions always go on if options exist. We will talk to as many platforms and individuals as possible to actualise our plans, and many too are talking to us,” he added.
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