The crisis within the opposition New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) remains unresolved as a faction of the party, led by Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major, insists that the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, remains expelled.
At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Major accused Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiyya group of engaging in blackmail and attempting to destabilise the party. The Major-led faction reaffirmed the expulsion of Kwankwaso and his associates, warning against illegal actions that could disrupt public order.
Major alleged that the Kwankwasiyya group recently wrote to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, seeking to replace Deputy Minority Leader, Aliyu Sani Madaki, with someone not recognised by the party.
Expressing concerns over potential breaches of the public peace, Dr Major called on security agencies, particularly in Kano State, to investigate and prevent any disruptive activities by the Kwankwasiyya group.
He further disclosed that petitions have been submitted to security agencies against Senator Kwankwaso, Buba Galadima, and other Kwankwasiyya leaders to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
The NNPP leader referred to a recent Abia High Court ruling, which returned the party’s management to its Board of Trustees (BoT), led by its founder, Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam.
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He said that only letters signed by the BoT Chairman or recognised party leadership would be valid for communication with the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“We urge the Honorable Speaker to act only on letters signed by Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam or the duo of Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major and Comrade Sunday Olaposi Oginni as National Chairman and Secretary, respectively,” Major stated.
Major condemned the Kwankwasiyya group’s purportedly illegal attempt to summon Madaki and Kabiru Alhassan Rurum for disciplinary action.
“These individuals have long denounced their membership in the Kwankwasiyya group, as confirmed by video evidence. The group lacks any authority to act on behalf of the NNPP,” he asserted.
The party declared that any actions taken by the Kwankwasiyya group against NNPP members would be null and void, stressing that the group’s leaders have no standing in the party following their expulsion.
Major commended the 10th House of Representatives for its performance, stressing that the NNPP would not tolerate actions threatening its members or undermining democratic principles.
“We cannot fold our hands and watch enemies of democracy engage in acts capable of causing confusion. The NNPP stands for the rule of law, constitutionalism, and decency,” he concluded.
The NNPP reiterated its commitment to internal stability and called on all stakeholders to respect court rulings and party leadership. The party also pledged to continue its efforts to strengthen democracy in Nigeria.
Comrade Sunday Olaposi Oginni, the party’s Secretary, echoed Major’s sentiments, describing Kwankwaso as “more of a curse than a blessing” to the NNPP.
