The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Sunday accused INEC of undue interference and taking sides in the party's internal leadership crisis.

NNPP also advised INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu to look into alleged attendance of its splinter group convention by the commission's staff, even when they were served with court notice challenging the illegal convention.

A statement signed by the NNPP National Secretary, Comrade Oginni Olaposi asked the INEC chairman to fish out the colluding staff and ensure he or she is punished. 

The party further noted that the INEC must remain neutral in the NNPP internal crisis as required by law.

"Without prejudice to the integrity, honour and leadership of the INEC chairman, we are using this medium to remind him that the successes and otherwise of electoral processes in Nigeria largely depend on the level of quality leadership of the commission under his watch.

"It is trite to note that INEC as a commission has the mandate to regulate and control electoral processes in Nigeria in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Electoral Guidelines. 

"This shall be without prejudice to the partial autonomy and independence of political parties to regulate and control themselves in accordance with the party constitution." The statement said.

The NNPP pointed out that the  courts including the Supreme Court of Nigeria had  made several pronouncements in relation to the liberty and authority of political parties on matters of self regulation and control of its affairs , administration and management. 

"One begins to wonder why INEC as a commission,  other than being neutral is found to be the contrary and taking sides over an internal matter of NNPP.

"And for the records, the federal high courts seated at Awka in Anambra state and Abuja have said that the crisis in NNPP  should be resolved internally by  members.

"We regret to note that Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso Senator and others expelled from our party have been deceiving the general public that the NNPP under the leadership of Major Gilbert Agbo lost in the various cases.  

"One begins to wonder how the pronouncements of the courts  that NNPP leadership crisis is an internal matter of the party translate to loss? 

"The Federal High  Court have jurisdiction over the party constitution to give direction. We have approached the Court of Appeal in that regard to demand for a clear statement as to how the internal crisis can be resolved and who does it" the statement wondered.