NNPP demands implementation of INEC court order regarding leadership dispute

The New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) is demanding speedy enforcement of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court order against the Agbo Major-led National Working Committee (NWC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Justice Bello Kawu of the FCT High Court on Tuesday ordered INEC to immediately recognize the Major-led NNPP NWC.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Lagos by his National Secretary, Mr. Ogini Olaposi, the party asked INEC to upload its national executives on its website.

“We hope that the current leadership of INEC will not violate lawful court orders and clear decisions.

“The court prohibited INEC from dealing and transacting any business with members of the Kwankwasiya Movement led by Dr Ahmed Ajuji, pending the outcome of the just concluded judicial review.

“A court order was validly issued on Tuesday, March 17 by Justice Bello Kawu compelling INEC within 72 hours, to update its records to reflect the original national leadership of the NNPP led by its Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam.

“It is very sad and unfortunate that INEC continues to receive correspondence from Ajuji’s group to postpone the execution, even though INEC’s lawyers were in court when Kawu delivered his verdict.

“The Notice of Appeal and Motion for Adjournment do not constitute an obstacle to the lawful implementation of the court order by the party to whom it is addressed, in this case INEC.

“No Stay of Execution order was granted by any court; none was submitted to INEC.

“Justice Bello Kawu’s order is specific, direct, positive and compelling that INEC must within 72 hours, update and recognize the Major-led NWC and revert to the original logo of the NNPP,” the statement read.

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        Introduction  A free, independent, and vibrant press is one of the strongest pillars of any democratic society. It is against this background that most democratic countries  make constitutional provisions for a free press . Others even go further to enact specific laws to make affairs of governments freely available to the public. Currently, there are more than  130 countries in the world that have free press laws. They include Sweden, United States, France, South Africa and Nigeria. Nigeria did not only make  constitutional provisions in Sections 22 and 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution ( as amended) but also went ahead to enact the Freedom of Information Act  in 2011. Section 22 of the 1999  Constitution states: “ “The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media  shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter( ie Chapter II) and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people”  Section 39(1)  of same Constitution states : “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference” ..  To complement these constitutional provisions, Section 1 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) states “Notwithstanding anything contained in any other Act, law or regulation, the right of any person to access or request information, whether or not contained in any written form, which is in the custody or possession of any public official, agency or institution howsoever described, is established.” while Section  2(2), states that: “A public institution shall ensure the proper organization and maintenance of all information in its custody in a manner that facilitates public access to such information”  Primary Purpose of FOIA  According to the Act, its primary purpose is to make information about public records freely available to every Nigerian in the public interest. …

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