The Agbo Major-led faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party has welcomed the restoration of its preferred logo on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s portal but threatened to institute a ₦10 billion lawsuit against the electoral body over its alleged delay in complying with a court judgment
Major announced the development during a press conference in Abuja, saying the party’s original symbol—the “Basket of Fruits on the Nigerian Map”—had replaced the disputed logo previously displayed by INEC. Recent checks and reports also showed that INEC had updated its portal to recognise Major and members of his National Working Committee.
He described the restoration as a victory for the rule of law and maintained that it confirmed the leadership of the faction associated with him and the party’s founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam.
“This restoration confirms that the authentic leadership of NNPP under myself and our founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, remains intact,” Major said.
He alleged that the development marked the failure of an attempt by former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, Elder Buba Galadima and their associates to take control of the party’s structure.
The allegation forms part of the prolonged internal leadership dispute within the NNPP, with rival groups laying claim to the party’s national leadership and identity.
The disagreement led the Agbo Major-led National Working Committee and Aniebonam to approach the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, seeking judicial recognition of their leadership and restoration of the party’s original records.
Justice Bello Kawu had directed INEC to recognise the Major-led National Working Committee, prompting repeated demands from the faction for the commission to update its records.
Major said the court also directed the commission to restore the original party logo, upload the recognised National Working Committee within 72 hours and file an affidavit confirming compliance within 14 days.
Although INEC has now updated the logo and leadership information, Major accused the commission of failing to act within the period specified by the court.
He claimed that the delay disrupted the faction’s preparations and caused it financial and political damage ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Because of INEC’s disobedience and delay, we have suffered damages. Our lawyers have been instructed to file a ₦10 billion suit against the commission,” he said.
Major disclosed that the party had used the renewed access to INEC’s candidate-submission platform to upload 355 candidates for the National Assembly elections across the country.
He explained that some of those submitted were placeholders who could subsequently be substituted in accordance with the Electoral Act and INEC’s timetable.
The chairman also said the party had uploaded a placeholder presidential candidate but did not disclose the person’s identity.
According to him, the submission of candidates for governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections had commenced and would be completed before the August 8, 2026 deadline.
INEC’s revised timetable provides that the portal for the submission of governorship and state assembly candidates will remain open until 6 p.m. on August 8.
Major said the developments had enabled the party to rebuild and strengthen its structures after months of uncertainty arising from the leadership litigation and alleged delays by the electoral commission.
He called on young people, women, professionals and Nigerians living abroad to join the NNPP, maintaining that the party remained committed to justice, equity and building what he described as a new Nigeria.
INEC had not publicly responded to the threatened ₦10 billion action at the time of the announcement. The proposed lawsuit had also not been shown to have been filed before a court.
