NRM Leadership Crisis: Obey court judgment, NEC urges INEC

2026-03-08 - 14:07

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA—Ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections, the National Rescue Movement (NRM) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to obey the court judgment that settled the leadership crisis plaguing the party. The party, through its National Executive Committee (NEC), noted that the Federal High Court in Abuja had directed, in a judgment delivered on March 5, 2025, that the electoral body recognize the Chief Edozie Njoku-led national executives. It bemoaned that, over a year after the judgment was delivered, INEC had yet to comply with the court’s directives, notwithstanding the absence of any subsisting appeal on the matter. The NRM, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Anselm Nebeife, said its NEC had met in Abuja on March 6 and aligned with the position of the National Working Committee (NWC), which reaffirmed the authority of extant court decisions concerning the party’s leadership. “In furtherance of the NWC meeting of the NRM, the NEC sat to ratify the decisions arising from it. It reviewed the current state of the party and deliberated on matters of urgent importance affecting its leadership, organization, and compliance with lawful directives. After extensive deliberations, the NEC ratified as follows: “The NEC reaffirmed the validity and authority of the court order of January 16, 2025, mandating INEC to monitor the Emergency National Convention of January 17, 2025, and the March 5, 2025, judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, directing INEC to recognize the outcome of the said Emergency National Convention. “Accordingly, the NEC called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately comply with the court’s judgment by recognizing the Chief Edozie Njoku-led leadership of the party. “The NEC stressed that respect for the rule of law and obedience to court orders remain fundamental pillars of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy. “The NEC noted with concern that several positions within the committee had become vacant. These vacancies arose following the resignation and departure of some members frustrated by the prolonged delay in recognizing the party’s lawful leadership. “To restore full administrative functionality and strengthen the party’s organizational structure, the NEC ratified the recommendations brought forward by the NWC to fill the vacant positions according to the provisions of the constitution, as amended in 2025. It noted that the National Convention is not needed for replacing vacant positions, which can be handled by the NWC and ratified by the NEC—without reverting to a National Convention, which is required only when the office of the National Chairman is involved. “The NEC also considered reports of persistent anti-party activities by certain members and, after due deliberation, resolved to accept and ratify the NWC’s recommendations for the expulsion of the following individuals, who had been suspended by the Disciplinary Committee appointed in accordance with the party’s constitution. “The NEC found that their actions were inconsistent with the principles, discipline, and collective interests of the party. It reiterated that the party will not tolerate conduct capable of undermining its unity, stability, and lawful leadership. “The NEC reassured members and supporters across the country that the party remains committed to internal discipline, constitutional order, and the defense of democratic principles. “It further urged all members to remain steadfast and united as the party continues to pursue full enforcement of the Federal High Court’s March 5, 2025, judgment,” the communiqué further read. It will be recalled that the Federal High Court in Abuja summoned INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, last Wednesday to appear before it on March 10 to face a contempt charge initiated by the NRM over alleged disobedience to its orders regarding the party’s leadership crisis. The court directed the service of a hearing notice on the INEC Chairman to enable him to appear and explain why its judgment was flouted.