Gift James
The National Rescue Movement (NRM) has disowned a purported contempt proceeding filed against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the action as a “huge joke” and an abuse of Nigeria’s judicial process.
The party, in a statement issued on Saturday, said it neither instituted nor authorised any such suit, and expressed concern over what it described as desperate political tactics aimed at destabilising democratic institutions.
According to the statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Peter Letsuwa, the NRM reaffirmed its support for INEC and commended the Commission for its role in upholding internal party democracy, compliance with party guidelines, and respect for the Electoral Act.
“The attention of the National Management Committee (NMC), the National Executive Committee (NEC), and members of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), has been drawn to the news of a purported contempt notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and wish to dissociate the party from such a huge joke,” the statement read.
“The National Rescue Movement (NRM), has no reason to institute any such action against the Independent National Electoral Commission or any Officer of the Commission. On the contrary, NRM commends INEC for promoting internal party democracy and compliance to the party Constitution, its guidelines and the provisions of the Electoral Act.”
The party further raised alarm over the alleged activities of one Edozie Njoku, whom it accused of attempting to hijack the NRM’s leadership structure under false pretences.
“The party has repeatedly drawn the attention of Nigerians to the unscrupulous activities of one Edozie Njoku, who was sacked by the Supreme Court in November, 2024, for what it called Forum Shopping by attempting to hijack the leadership of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), only to turn around two months after to claim leadership of the National Rescue Movement claiming a purported Emergency Convention, which was not authorized by the relevant organs of the party or followed the processes established by the party constitution, the INEC Guidelines and Electoral Act 2022.”
The NRM argued that the said convention contravened its constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC guidelines. It further asserted that even if Njoku had registered as a party member on the day he was sacked by the Supreme Court, he would still be ineligible to hold any position in the party.
“Under the National Rescue Movement Constitution, even if Edozie Njoku registered on the party online registration portal the same day he was sacked by the Supreme Court, he is not qualified for any position in the party. To hold a position in the party, such person would have been a member for a period not less than one year. Nigeria is not yet a banana republic where lawlessness and impunity rule unabated.”
The party warned that the country cannot afford to become a haven for judicial compromise and called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to take urgent action to check what it sees as creeping judicial excesses.
“The party respectfully calls on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to swiftly call Judicial Officers, who have become agents of destabilization of the nation’s democracy to order and to resist the temptation of being used by desperate political jobbers to rubbish the judiciary and the nation’s democracy”, it read.