The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has publicly distanced itself from its former presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over his claim that he facilitated a meeting between Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and some Supreme Court judges in 2019.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Secretary, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday, the NNPP maintained that Kwankwaso was not a member of the party at the time of the alleged incident and therefore could not have acted on its behalf.
The party urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to remove its name from any petition submitted to the Inspector-General of Police in connection with the controversy.
Oginni said the clarification became necessary to set the record straight and shield the party from any association with the matter. He explained that Kwankwaso only joined the NNPP shortly before the 2023 general elections alongside several political figures, including Buba Galadima, Prof. Alkali, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, Prof. Hanga and Governor Abba Yusuf.
The NNPP also dismissed claims that Kwankwaso played any role in the party’s founding, stressing that the organisation was established by Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam.
According to the statement, tensions arose after Kwankwaso’s entry into the party, with allegations that he attempted to take control of its structure and alter its logo and colours to align with his Kwankwasiyya political movement without the consent of the founder or the Board of Trustees.
The party recalled that a faction aligned with Kwankwaso had previously challenged the legitimacy of a convention that produced Dr Agbo Gilbert Major as National Chairman and Oginni as National Secretary, noting that the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja dismissed the case.
Reaffirming its position, the NNPP said Kwankwaso was expelled shortly after the 2023 elections for what it described as gross misconduct and should no longer be referred to as the party’s national leader.
It added that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently investigating issues related to the dispute.
The party reiterated that its recognised leadership remains Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam as Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr Agbo Gilbert Major as National Chairman and Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday as National Secretary.
