The Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri has delivered a decisive judgement in the protracted leadership crisis within the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), affirming Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam as the recognised leader of the party.

In its ruling, the appellate court set aside an earlier decision of the Abia State High Court in Uzuakoli, which had vacated its previous judgement delivered in favour of the faction led by Aniebonam.

The appellate court held that the lower court erred in granting a motion that effectively reversed its own earlier judgement, thereby upholding all three grounds of appeal filed by the Aniebonam-led faction.

The dispute stems from a November 2024 judgement of the Uzuakoli High Court in Suit No. HUZ/11/2024, which had recognised the Board of Trustees of the NNPP under Aniebonam. However, in June 2025, the same court granted an application that set aside that ruling, following a motion filed by Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.

Dissatisfied with the reversal, the Aniebonam faction approached the Court of Appeal in Owerri (Appeal No. CA/OW/271/2025), arguing that the trial judge lacked the jurisdiction to sit on appeal over his own judgement.

Delivering its verdict, the Court of Appeal agreed with the appellants, restoring the earlier judgement and effectively recognising Aniebonam as the legitimate leader of the party he founded in 2001.

Legal representation in the matter saw Onitsha-based senior counsel, Sir Azubike Anazor, appear for Aniebonam, while Abuja-based Eyitayo Fatogun, SAN, represented Kwankwaso.

The NNPP, which fielded Kwankwaso as its presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has been embroiled in internal disputes over its leadership structure, with rival factions laying claim to control of the party.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has resigned his appointment to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

Adelabu disclosed this in a resignation letter addressed to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, and routed through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

In the letter titled “Resignation as Honourable Minister of Power”, Adelabu expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve in his administration.

He said it was a privilege to contribute to efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s power sector in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Adelabu added that his decision to step down was to enable him fully pursue his aspiration to contest for the office of Governor of Oyo State.

He noted that the move would allow him to dedicate his time and resources to the political ambition.

The former minister also conveyed his appreciation and respect to the President for the confidence reposed in him during his tenure.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government is mounting pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to interfere in the party’s leadership affairs, following the defection of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to its ranks.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ADC claimed that a coordinated effort is underway to compel INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), to invalidate party actions and alter its leadership structure before courts have ruled on pending disputes.

According to Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, a letter dated March 28, 2026, written by a team of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, is being used to pressure the electoral commission. The letter reportedly seeks to enforce a particular interpretation of a Court of Appeal ruling regarding “status quo ante bellum” — a legal principle referring to the restoration of a prior state of affairs.

The ADC said the legal representatives went as far as threatening the INEC chairman with arrest should he fail to accede to their request within seven days.

“The authors of this vexatious letter are attempting to pressure INEC to take sides and grant them what no court in Nigeria has granted,” Abdullahi said in the statement.

The party dismissed claims by Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, whom it described as an expelled former member, asserting that he was never the party’s chairman and had previously resigned his position.

“What we are witnessing is a convergence of legal pressure and political intent by a ruling party that is unsettled by the growing appeal of the ADC,” Abdullahi added.

The ADC described itself as “the only viable opposition party left in the country” and vowed to resist what it called a “grand plan” to destabilise its leadership using all constitutional means.

Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 general election, recently defected to the ADC — a move the party claims has unsettled ruling party officials.

The ADC called on INEC to remain guided by the constitution and resist pressure, stating that the matter “is bigger than the ADC” and concerns whether Nigerians can freely choose an alternative political path.