Abuja High Court Ruling Compels INEC to Recognize Agbo Major Faction Over Kwankwaso Movement Group

Abuja High Court rules against Kwankwaso faction of NNPP. Founder Aniebonam celebrates as court compels INEC to recognize Agbo Major's committee in Lagos.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 5:50 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from NewsDiary Online

Legal Victory Sparks Celebrations in Apapa

The long standing leadership vacuum within the New Nigeria Peoples Party reached a critical turning point on Wednesday as supporters of the party’s founder converged on Lagos to mark a decisive judicial win. Members of the organization gathered at the office of Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the party’s original architect, following a high stakes ruling from the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. The atmosphere in Apapa was characterized by rhythmic dancing and public displays of gratitude, signaling a shift in momentum for the faction that has long sought to reclaim the party’s administrative machinery from more recent political entrants.

Judicial Mandate Restructures Party Leadership

The core of the legal dispute was resolved on Tuesday when Justice Bello Kawu issued a directive compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission to formally recognize the National Working Committee led by Agbo Major. This judgment effectively strips the Kwankwasiya Movement, spearheaded by 2023 presidential candidate Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, of its official standing within the party hierarchy. By ordering the electoral umpire to reject the Kwankwaso led faction, the court has attempted to provide a definitive answer to the ownership questions that have plagued the organization since the influx of new members prior to the last general election.

Founder Defends Integrity of the Bench

In the wake of the ruling, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam addressed the media to condemn the aggressive rhetoric coming from the losing camp. Aniebonam expressed deep disappointment in statements made by the Kwankwasiya Movement’s publicity secretary, Mr. Ladipo Johnson, who characterized the judgment as a low point in Nigerian judicial history. The party founder argued that it is regrettable for legal professionals to use acerbic language against judges simply because a verdict did not favor their specific interests. According to Aniebonam, the court was merely fulfilling its duty to ensure that the electoral commission obeys existing judicial complaints and follows the established rule of law.