The National Rescue Movement has described the Federal High Court ruling on its leadership as a landmark victory for social justice and the rule of law.

NRM’s national chairman, Chinedu Obi, said during a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday that the decision ended a coordinated attempt to hijack the party’s leadership.

Mr Obi praised the judiciary as “the last hope of the common man” for shielding democracy from what he termed “judicial mercenaries”.

The court, presided over by Justice J.O. Abdulmalik, on Tuesday dismissed a suit by a splinter group seeking recognition as the NRM leadership.

The court also dismissed a related contempt suit against the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Mr Obi said the crisis stemmed from the suspension and expulsion of former national chairman, Isaac Udeh, over alleged anti-party activities. He alleged that Udeh later conspired with Edozie Njoku, a former factional APGA chairman, to destabilise the NRM.

He noted that, despite a court order to maintain the status quo, which NRM obeyed, Mr Udeh allegedly attempted to hand the party over to Mr Njoku.

Mr Obi recalled that, as of 2024, Mr Njoku still presented himself as the APGA chairman before the Supreme Court, which stopped him in November 2024.

“By January 2025, just months after the Supreme Court called him a forum shopper, he was parading himself as NRM chairman. This is a man who was not even a member of our party for the required one year to hold leadership,” he said.

Mr Obi said the group also attempted to hold an “emergency convention” in January 2025 without the National Executive Committee’s approval. He said the party learnt of the move after INEC queried it over a letter from the faction.

Mr Obi stated that after NRM clarified that no convention was authorised, the group sought a mandamus order compelling INEC to recognise it. He said the crisis peaked when the Federal High Court dismissed the splinter group’s claims.

Mr Obi noted that a previous judge had recused himself over jurisdiction concerns, but the latest ruling had clarified all issues. He said NRM had already held a legitimate convention, monitored and recognised by INEC, in line with judicial directives.

Mr Obi urged journalists to protect democracy by exposing individuals who create political crises through “imagination”.

“The media should help save our democracy from forum shoppers orchestrating things that do not exist. The NRM is driven by social justice anchored on the rule of law for peace, productivity and shared prosperity,” Mr Obi said.

He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to its “rescue Nigeria” blueprint and unity. Mr Obi also said preparations for the 2027 elections were ongoing, including arrangements for party primaries.

(NAN)