The New Nigeria People’s Party has scheduled its primary election for February 23 in Edo State, to elect a candidate that will represent the party in the forthcoming governorship election in the state, scheduled for September this year.
The Acting National Chairman of the NNPP, Kawu Ali, who made this known while addressing newsmen at the party’s National Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, said the party had begun the sale of forms for the Edo State governorship elections at N10 million for Nomination Form and N1 million for Expression of Interest form.
Ali also noted that the party was ready for tomorrow’s rerun and by-elections across the country.
However, he disclaimed those he called expelled members but still parading themselves as officials of the party, despite a subsisting court order, yet to be challenged.
NNPP further threatened to file contempt proceedings against those it said were still parading themselves as party officials, after their expulsion.
Ali said “The National Working Committee (NWC) of NNPP wishes to put the record straight on the misconduct of some elements who have no locus but continue to parade themselves as leaders of our great party.
“These people were expelled from the party in line with its constitution. Not only that, there is a restraining order of the court of competent jurisdiction stopping them from parading themselves as leaders of this party.
“They neither challenged this order nor tried in any way to vacate it. As we are here today, the order subsists.
“Flowing from above, all the activities of this renegade group amount to contempt of court, which the laws of our great country seriously frown at. This court order was not only served on them but media houses were also copied.
“However, it is very unfortunate that some media houses, unknowingly, apart from abetting these people, continue to flout the orders of the honourable court. We wish to use this medium to appeal to our friends in the media to avoid being dragged by these characters into flouting a valid court order.”
Also speaking on Saturday’s bye-elections, the Acting Chairman said the NNPP was prepared to participate in the polls, in about 26 states across the country.
He however urged Nigerians to cooperate with the Independent National Electoral Commission, to deliver elections.