2023: NNPP Drags INEC to Court over Refusal to Recognise Shekarau’s Replacement
By Ozumi Abdul
The New Nigeria People Party, (NNPP) has commenced a legal duel with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its refusal to allow the party replace Senator Ibrahim Shekarau for Kano Central District in next year’s National Assembly election following his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) two months ago.
The original candidate of the party, Ibrahim Shekarau, defected and joined the Peoples Democratic Party, because of alleged irreconcilable differences with the party’s presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
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INEC argued that Shekarau, a former governor of the state, is yet to inform it officially that he has left the NNPP and is no longer its candidate for the district as required by the electoral act, thus it cannot replace his name with another person.
Kwankwaso, in an interview with the Radio Deutsche Welle Hausa Service on Wednesday, wondered why the electoral commission refused to replace Shekarau’s name with the new candidate, Rufa’i Hanga,
During the radio interview, Kwankwaso said supposing the NNPP wins the senatorial seat for Kano Central, would INEC announce Shekarau as the legally elected representative for the district?
“We have conducted (fresh) primary election where we elected Rufa’i Sani Hanga, as a replacement and if INEC can do justice to us, based on the constitution, the time for the replacement of candidates is not yet over.
“We have taken the matter to court because INEC did not understand the process. The court will make them understand it,” he said.
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