The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has ruled out backdating resignation letters for politicians who allegedly failed to follow the proper procedures before leaving the party.
The party warned that it would not bow to pressure from individuals seeking to alter their membership records, adding that falsifying such documents could amount to a criminal offence.
The NNPP’s founder and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, insisting that affected politicians must follow the established procedures rather than seek retrospective documentation.
The controversy followed a letter the party sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on October 19 concerning several politicians elected on its platform in the 2023 general elections.
Those listed included Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, 18 members of the House of Representatives, 28 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and two senators.
The party alleged that the affected politicians had moved to other political parties and were preparing for the 2027 general elections without completing the necessary steps to formally terminate their NNPP membership.
In the letter, signed by the party’s National Chairman, Dr Agbo Major, and National Secretary, Mr Oginni Olaposi, the NNPP asked INEC to take note of what it described as irregularities in the politicians’ resignation processes.
The letter stated, “We write to formally inform the commission of the purported resignation and subsequent political activities of certain elected public office holders, who obtained their respective mandates on the platform of our great party but have failed to comply with prescribed procedures for lawful termination of their membership.”
Aniebonam said some of the affected politicians had approached the party’s leadership to seek assistance in backdating their resignation documents.
He maintained that the party would not grant such requests, directing those who wished to complete their resignation to return to their respective wards and begin the process in accordance with the NNPP constitution.
“We told those of them who approached us to go back and begin their resignation processes from their wards then ensure that it is properly documented in accordance with the NNPP constitution.
“The Constitution of the NNPP (2023, as amended) contains provisions governing the resignation of members, while the Electoral Act, 2026 (as amended), regulates relevant aspects of political party membership, nomination and participation in elections.
” These provisions are not intended to be observed selectively or disregarded at the convenience of individual members, particularly persons who attained elective public office through the sponsorship, structures and electoral platform of the party.”
The party also announced plans to submit additional information to INEC regarding politicians elected on its platform in Katsina and Jigawa states who allegedly failed to complete their exit procedures.
While acknowledging that individuals had the right to choose their preferred political parties, the NNPP insisted that such decisions must be properly recorded in line with applicable laws.
“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 chose where they wish to belong but it must be properly documented as required by law.
“In the event of a post election lawsuit by their opponents requiring NNPP to come with records of their resignation, we will do so. As a party, the NNPP is firm on issues regarding its constitution and image and will not renage on that.
“We do not know the windows open to them now to complete their resignation but we will attend to those who wish to complete the process.
“The electoral guidelines, party constitution and the constitution of Nigeria are specific on the processes and procedures of resignation from a political party.
“We are all witnesses to the fact that elected officers of political parties have been in the abuse of processes and procedures to be followed when resigning from political parties.”
Party Cites Poor Documentation of Resignations
The NNPP alleged that some politicians who claimed to have left their former parties during internal disputes failed to ensure that their resignation letters were formally registered at the parties’ national secretariats.
It maintained that the national secretariat was responsible for keeping membership records and argued that a resignation should be properly documented to establish that the process had been completed.
The party also criticised lawmakers who publicly announced their departure from political parties during legislative sessions without adequately notifying the organisations that sponsored their elections.
According to the NNPP, such practices could create legal complications for politicians seeking to contest elections under different party platforms.
It warned that those unable to provide valid evidence of their resignation could face challenges over their eligibility to contest the 2027 general elections.
The party, however, clarified that individuals expelled from the NNPP were not affected by the dispute over resignation procedures.
It further said it had secured favourable court decisions in Abia State, the Federal Capital Territory and Owerri, which it claimed restored INEC’s recognition of its original logo and its ability to field candidates in the 2027 elections.
The NNPP maintained that politicians who had not properly completed their resignation from the party could still be regarded as members and potentially face difficulties seeking election under another political platform.
