The New Nigeria People’s Party has provided reasons for its non-participation in the Lagos State local government council elections scheduled for Saturday.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the election is taking place across 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas within the state.
In an interview with NAN, NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ogini Olaposi, described the party’s decision as “regrettable but necessary,” pointing to unresolved internal issues and procedural delays as key factors.
“We regret to inform all members of our great party, that it is indeed most unfortunate and regrettable that despite the double victory judgments we received, we could not put our house in order for effective campaigns and participation,” Olaposi stated.
He attributed part of the party’s setbacks to leadership struggles within the NNPP, particularly linked to the faction led by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
“In the build-up to the election, we were still immersed in internal wrangling, following the move by the Sen. Kwankwaso-led group to hijack the leadership of the NNPP,” Olaposi said.
The party’s spokesman also highlighted administrative bottlenecks, especially involving the Independent National Electoral Commission, which he said failed to update the party’s leadership information.
“We were also delayed by the inability of INEC to amend our old records and upload our authentic National Working Committee (NWC), led by Dr. Agbo Major, on its server,” he added.
Olaposi noted that these challenges rendered the party unable to present candidates for the election—an unprecedented situation since NNPP’s establishment in 2001 by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam.
Despite the setback, Olaposi assured that internal party issues concerning leadership and logo had been addressed.
“It was on the strength of the issues that after an emergency meeting of the NEC on Friday in Abuja, we decided to direct our members in Lagos, led by Mrs. Anikè Adebowale (state chairman) on which party to vote for.
“To effectively win in an election, you must not just fill in candidates, you should also be ready for serious campaigns in all wards and areas of the election which we did not do.”
While the NNPP will not be on the ballot, Olaposi stated that party members had been encouraged to support a like-minded party during the elections.
NAN also reports that 15 out of Nigeria’s 28 registered political parties are participating in the ongoing local government elections in Lagos State.
