The New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday of failing to replace candidates who have defected to other political platforms. The party expressed its frustration, noting that despite directives from the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ordered INEC to accept the names of new candidates submitted to replace those who withdrew their candidacy and resigned from the party, the commission has not complied. This situation arises just one month before the elections.
Among the NNPP candidates who have left the party and have yet to be replaced by INEC are former Governor of Kano State Ibrahim Shekarau, who was listed as the party’s senatorial candidate for the Kano Central Senatorial District despite his defection on August 29. Other candidates include Ibrahim Mikra for the Taraba South Senatorial District, Yahaya Gamaje, the Yobe State Deputy governorship candidate, and Mohammed Maikifi for the Potiskum Central House of Assembly.
Major Agbo, the National Publicity Secretary of NNPP, accused INEC of engaging in partisan politics that are inappropriate for an electoral body. He highlighted that the commission did not accept the candidates submitted on September 1, 2022, following an earlier submission on August 30, 2022. Agbo expressed concern over what he described as a “grand plot” to deliberately sabotage the NNPP and deprive the party of the opportunity to field candidates for these crucial positions. He urged INEC to be cautious in its actions and responses to avoid undermining the electoral process.
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