CSO asks INEC to deregister NNPP over ‘anti-democratic tendencies’ 

The Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law (GDRL), a civil society organisation (CSO), has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) over alleged anti-democratic tendencies. 

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Augustine Ugboha, the group’s convener, alleged that members of the party, known as Kwankwasiyya Political Movement, have been engaging in acts of violence following the tribunal judgment that sacked Abba Yusuf as governor of Kano state.

Ugboha said the group has “employed every anti-democratic tendency” in pursuit of their political interests in the north-west state.

“It is also worrisome to know that such an anti-democratic group has since mainstreamed into our political party system through the NNPP,” Ugboha said.

In a letter addressed to Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of INEC and seen by TheCable, the group said deregistering NNPP will “promote democracy and the rule of law”.

Benson Anya, a member of the Kano election petition tribunal, had described NNPP supporters as a “gang of red cap wearers who chased us out of Kano and put us in the fear of our lives”.

NNPP is embroiled in a leadership crisis that has polarised the party.

In September, a faction of the party led by Agbo Major expelled Rabiu Kwankwaso, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, over allegations of anti-party activities.

However, another faction of the party loyal to Kwankwaso, reversed the suspension.