NNPP Crisis Deepens As Party Urges INEC To Stop Illegal Congress/Convention By Expelled Kwakwanso’s Group
NNPP Crisis Deepens As
Party Urges INEC To Stop Illegal Congress/Convention By Expelled Kwakwanso’s Group
……..warns against giving undue advantage to Kwakwanso’s faction
……….wants INEC to remain impartial
…………prays INEC to recognise
the Leadership of NNPP under Dr. Major Agbo
Founder NNPP,Dr.Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam
By Frank Odinukaeze
In a deliberate move to ensure that illegality is not enthroned over legality,the leadership of the New Nigerian Peoples Part (NNPP), has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to halt the purported illegal Congress/ Convention being organised by the expelled Kwakwanso’s faction.
In an open letter,titled:
“STOPPAGE OF ILLEGAL NNPP’S CONGRESS/ CONVENTION NOT TO GIVE UNDUE ADVANTAGES TO EXPELLED KWANKWASO’S FACTION OF NNPP”,and addressed
to the Chairman of the Commission,Prof.Mahmoud Yakubu,and signed by the National Secretary of the party
Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday,the party warned that INEC would be giving an undue advantage to the expelled Kwakwanso’s faction by sending officials to monitor the illegal Congress/ convention,and therefore urged the commission to stop the illegal Congress/ convention.
The statement reads:
” It has come to our knowledge that the Kwankwasiyya movement who once upon a time joined as part of the NNPP has once again among several efforts written a letter to your good office, asking for the deployment of officials of INEC as monitors for the conduct of elections into Wards, Local Governments and State Executives in 13 states across the country.
Elections for Adhoc delegates, NEC meeting and a mini convention were also proposed in the letter to INEC.
” It may interest you to know that the Chairmen of New Nigeria People’s Party in the affected states are currently before Hon. Justice A. O Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division challenging the illegality perpetrated by the defunct Alh. Abba Kawu led National Working Committee of the Kwankwasiyya movement that are fraudulently claiming to be the NNPP Executives.
“Recall sir, that this matter amongst several others instituted against unconstitutional, illegal and provocative actions under the expelled Abba Kawu defunct NWC and his cohorts are pending before various courts including some at the Appeal court.
“Hon. Justice A.O Egwuatu had copiously warned on the impropriety of taking further actions by both contending sides whereas the Kwankwasiyya group heavily backed by Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso (expelled since August 2023 from the NNPP) are hell bent in furthering acts of illegality by asking your commission to monitor elections into the aforesaid offices.
” Recall too, that in the last 2 months, several postponements by the Abba Kawu illegal leadership have been written to INEC. What could be the reason? The reason is that they have met a brick wall at the courts.
“Sir, it is the duty of INEC under your able leadership to ensure that political parties maintain highest level of decorum in handling issues that may conflagrate the political system.
” The actions of the Kwankwanso backed faction if not checked may lead to breakdown of law and order. This is the main reason INEC was empowered to monitor and supervise, including regulating activities of political parties.
” We are not unaware that the commission under your dynamic leadership is doing so meticulously in recent times. The recently concluded National Convention of the Labour Party which was deemed unrecognised because of non attendance of INEC is a testament of the impartial roles INEC has accorded itself under your headship.
” Mr. Chairman, it would suffice to add that the Kwankwasiyya movement was part of a group that fused into NNPP in February 2022. The other groups are NAGAFF, The National Movement. NNPP as of them was a registered political party founded and funded by Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam and NAGAFF.
” The party was duly registered in 2001 and had survived deregistration severally as done by INEC.
Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso after many unfruitful journey’s into various political parties was granted a home in the NNPP to vent his Presidential ambition in the 2023 Presidential election.
“The Memorandum of Understanding signed for the purpose of fusion is hereby attached for clarity.
“After the failed Presidential bid, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso felt that having secured House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and Governorship seats, it was time to hijack the party and sideline the original founding father and NAGAFF which birthed and funded NNPP
“The substantive National Chairman,Prof. Rufai Alkali resigned from office shortly after the Presidential election and without nomination from the state chapter as required by the electoral Act 2022 as amended, Alh. Abba Kawu was illegally pronounced Chairman of the party. This action taken illegally therefore renders all actions taken by the Abba Kawu illegal leadership null and void.
Noting these infractions and haven tried to make the then leadership tow the path of constitutionality all to no avail, the Board of Trustees, being the conscience of the party and invoking its powers according to the Constitution of the Party brought the party back to sanity, reinstating all dissolved Executives and subsequently expelled the dissidents including Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso.
“The NNPP thus through a general assembly of all members repositioned the party for greatness.
” It’s suprising that out of frustration, the Kwankwaso’s group also sacked Aba Kawu as their Chairman and undemocratically replaced him with Dr. Ajuji few days ago.
” Consequently, to be on the side of the law, The NEW NIGERIA PEOPLE’S PARTY ( NNPP) under the Leadership of Agbo Gilbert Major and Watchful eyes of The Founder Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam with due supervision of The Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Temitope Aluko has filed a suit to stop the illegality of Kwankwaso’s group at the Federal High Court Abuja on the illegally proposed Congress and Convention. It’s on record that INEC under your supritendence has been duly served by ballif of the Federal High Court Abuja on Thursday 28th of March 2024. The hearing for the matter was fixed for 16th of April 2024 before Hon Justice Egwuatu.
RECOGNIZING YOUR COMMISSION’s IMPARTIALITY,OUR PRAYER(S ) TO YOU AND THE COMMISSION ARE AS FOLLOW;
” 1 That INEC under your able Leadership should not give advantage to Kwankwaso’s group when our party is in a dispute before the court.
“2. That until all NNPP’s cases which may go up to the Supreme Court are disposed, no congress, delegate election or mini convention should be monitored by INEC as may be requested by the defunct NWC illegally led by Abba Kawu/ Dr. Ajuji and fraudulently backed by suspended Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso.
“3 That INEC should as a matter of urgency recognise the Leadership of NNPP under Dr. Major Agbo in accordance to the Resolutions of the Board of Trustees and the General Assembly ,and henceforth stop recognizing correspondences from Aba Kawu or Dr. Ajuji and Mr. Dipo Olayoku which NWC have dissolved and t expeled From the Party.
“4 An urgent and positive response to this letter Sir.” the statement concluded.