The crisis rocking the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) yesterday took a deeper crisis dimension, as members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the group led Agbo Major expelled president candidate of the party, Sen Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
This decision to expel Kwankwaso was taken at an emergency NEC meeting held in Lagos.
The group said this followed his failure to appear before the disciplinary committee set up by the party to probe allegations against him.
The party, in a statement signed by its acting national publicity secretary, Abdulsalam Abdulrasaq, noted that Kwankwaso refused to appear before the committee which was set up to give him opportunity to defend the allegations leveled against him.
According to the group, the disciplinary committee invited Kwankwaso to defend allegations of gross anti party activities and mismanagement of party/campaign funds leveled against him but he turned down the invitation.
The statement reads in part: “The National Executive Committee (NEC) met in an emergency session on Friday 1st September 2023 and resolved as follows: Following the refusal of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to appear before the Disciplinary Committee which sat on Thursday 31st August 2023 after being duly invited in writing he is hereby expelled from New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) with immediate effect.
“That the erstwhile presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso would be reported to appropriate quarters to answer questions, on financial impropriety relating to mismanagement of public funds.”
Meanwhile, a group loyal to Kwankwaso said it has approached the court to help restore sanity in the polity.
It said the High Court presided over by Justice Usman Malam Na’Abba, granted their prayers restraining Chief Boniface Aniebonam, Dr Gilbert Agbo Major and 16 others from taking any action on behalf of the party until the determination hearing of the case on 05 October, 2023.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, national chairman of the faction of the party, Malam Kawu Ali, said it is an open secret that the former members are not backed by law in all they are doing.
He said, “The arrow heads of this onslaught have ceased to be members of the party by virtue of their suspension/expulsion.
“However, in view of the backing they are getting from the opposition, we need to use the instrumentalities of the law to protect the sanctity of the party.
“Therefore, the party, in a Suit No: K/M1157/2023 on the 4th day of September 2023 has been granted an interim order of injunction, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice which stops the Defendants, by themselves, their Agents, Cronies, and whosoever acting through or for them from parading themselves, issuing press releases, granting interviews etc as Officers, Leaders, or members of the party.
Also yesterday, former national chairman of the NNPP, Prof Rufa’i Alkali dumped the party.
On March 31, 2023, Alkali stepped aside as the national chairman of the NNPP and since then, the party has been engulfed in a series of crises.
In a letter of resignation obtained by LEADERSHIP, Alkali said the reason for his resignation was to give the party an opportunity to move ahead and move fast to consolidate on the indisputable gains made so far during the last 2023 General Elections and prepare for the forthcoming elections that lie ahead.
“Unfortunately, in the last few weeks, the party has slipped deeper and deeper into avoidable crises and conflicts that have led to several cases of suspension and counter-suspension of key leaders of the party, acrimonious press war, accusations and counter- accusations, which regrettably has led to the factionalisation of the party.
“After the historic merger of the party in March 2022, together with other astute, highly dedicated, hardworking and loyal members of the party, we put in place a robust political structure nationwide. The National Working Committee (NWC) forged cohesion among our members and created a formidable national platform that fielded candidates for all elective offices from the State Houses of Assembly to National Assembly, Governorship and the Presidency. I am proud to be part of that Dream Team.
“It is on record that within a period of less than one year and despite the limited time corridor from the merger to the General Elections, the party won elections in the Governorship, National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly seats.
“However, I voluntarily stepped aside as the National Chairman of the NNPP shortly after the general election this year to give room for new hands and fresh ideas in order to advance the party forward. As far as I was concerned, I never believed in the culture of sitting tight in leadership positions nor that I was indispensable. The New Nigeria we all aspire to achieve must be built on the solid foundation of dedication, hard work, resilience and personal sacrifice.
“However, recent disturbing developments in the NNPP with the emergence of factions working against each other is really unfortunate and counter-productive.
“Sadly, there appears to be no end in sight in this needless war of attrition. It seems that there’s an unwritten code by the warring factions not to allow Elders of the party to mediate to finding a lasting solution to the crises. This is indeed regrettable and unhealthy for the growth and survival of any political party, especially an emerging political party such as the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
“Therefore, and in accordance with the NNPP Constitution, and having consulted widely, I hereby announce the withdrawal of my membership of the NNPP forthwith, and I pray and wish the party the best in her future endeavours”, Alkali stated.
