The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has slammed the brakes on its planned protest against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the move was taken to prevent troublemakers and political opponents from turning a peaceful action into chaos.
The party had earlier announced, on January 10, that it would stage a peaceful demonstration in Abuja on Tuesday, January 20, to demand that INEC upload the details of what it insists is its authentic leadership, headed by Dr Agbo Major.
However, in a statement signed by the party’s Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, the NNPP said caution prevailed after it became clear that the protest could be hijacked and used to fan the flames of disorder.
While reaffirming its resolve to compel INEC to obey court rulings on the party’s leadership, the NNPP said its pursuit of justice must not come at the expense of national peace.
“We are law abiding citizens and our quest for justice will always respect the peace and unity of Nigeria.
“We are pained by the refusal of INEC to do what is right but we still believe in towing the rightful lane in achieving it.
“As law abiding citizens of Nigeria, we have no alternative than to put off the protest for the peace of our country. It shall be the duty of every Nigerian to support the present administration to achieve desired peace of the society.”
The party appealed to its members to remain calm, assuring them that the lingering issues would soon be sorted out.
NNPP also expressed frustration over what it described as INEC’s continued disregard for court orders recognising the Major-led faction as the party’s legitimate leadership.
“It is already in public space that the Abia High Court and the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, directed INEC to stop dealing with the Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso led group, pending outcome of the ongoing judicial review. The consequences of disobedience to court orders may be slow but it will surely come to pass.
“The issue is not about leadership crisis but termination of Memorandum of Understanding between the NNPP and the Kwankwasiya Movement.
“We approached the FCT high court for a review as INEC was unduly delaying the process of updating its records to reflect judgments of the courts.
“We hope that these issues will be resolved soon and that justice shall prevail.”
Despite shelving the protest, the party made it clear that it is not throwing in the towel, but choosing the path of restraint while the legal battle runs its course.
