Crisis hits Kwankwaso’s NNPP as founder, publicity secretary suspended

Crisis has erupted in the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) over alleged anti-party activities of the founding member of the party Boniface Aniebonam and the national publicity Secretary Agbo Major.

The National Working Committee of the New NNPP announced the suspension of the two members Friday.

In a statement signed by the party’s acting National Chairman, Mallam Abba Kawu Alli at the weekend, the party said the suspension was with immediate effect pending the outcome of investigations by the disciplinary committee of the party.

Alli revealed that the suspension was as a result of unruly activities of the founding chairman of the party whom he alleged felt the political platform was his personal estate.

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Alli said, “You will all recall that recent events regarding the repositioning of our party and the discipline or otherwise of some of our members led to the expulsion of two members of the party, the suspension of about seven former state chairmen of our party, and the dissolution of the executive committees of nine state chapters of the party.”

“Unfortunately, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, one of the founders of our party, has arrogated to himself the right to solely reverse decisions of the National Working Committee, even those decisions ratified and adopted by the National Executive Committee of the party. This is a situation that, as a responsible National Working Committee, we cannot permit to persist.

“In line with our constitution, we have today suspended Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam and the National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Agbo Major, pending the determination of investigations by the disciplinary committee at the national level of the party.

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“Furthermore, the men and their suspended cohorts have, under Article 39.2 (7), been involved in anti-party activities and conduct which may likely have an adverse effect on the party or bring hatred, contempt, disrespect or ridicule to the party.

“They are also in the process of intentionally fictionalising the party, together with some of the earlier suspended members, amongst other things.

“Naturally, the gentlemen, along with others that were earlier suspended, have access in the first instance to the disciplinary committee, which will invite them for fair hearing, and also an appeal procedure, which is clearly laid out in our constitution.”

The NNPP is one of the emerging opposition parties in Nigeria, with a strong foot in Northern Nigeria.

The party won the gubernatorial election in Kano, defeating the ruling party and also presented Rabiu Kwankwaso as its presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.