The Founder and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, has launched a scathing attack on Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima over what he described as their unlawful attempts to hijack the party.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Lagos, Aniebonam accused the duo of engaging in acts that undermine the integrity and ownership structure of the NNPP, insisting that they were “struggling over what doesn't belong to them.”
He questioned recent actions by the Kwankwaso-led faction, including a letter reportedly sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeking approval to conduct congresses and a national convention on behalf of the NNPP.
"What is really wrong with Kwankwaso and Galadima and their quest to continue struggling over what does not belong to them? Aniebonam stated over ill actions and a recent letter by the Kwankwaso group to INEC, requesting to conduct congresses and convention for the NNPP.
"It is regrettable to note that Kwankwaso, whom I gave the NNPP presidential ticket for free in 2023, can descend to the level of lacking in morals and good conscience in the name of politics .
"For clarity sake, Kwankwaso sent a delegation of highly respected Nigerians in the persons of Galadima, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi and Prof. Sam Angwe to my country home in Umuawulu town, Anambra state Nigeria, seeking for assistance to enable him contest the presidential election on NNPP platform in 2023.
"We obliged him at no cost, only for him to take advantage of our platform and gave to members of his Kwankwasiya Movement, who contested other elections of the state assembly, federal House of Representative and senatorial seats at no cost.
"A simple, liberal and brotherly Memorandum of Understanding were entered into between NNPP and the Kwankwasiya Movement under his leadership which expired after the 2023 elections."
Aniebonam said the post-election review clause in the MoU was intended to determine the future of the partnership, but alleged that Kwankwaso “planned a betrayal of trust” by attempting to alter the party’s structures and identity for personal gain.
"Most unfortunately, Kwankwaso planned a betrayal of trust against my good nature and the party.
"It is already in the public space that Kwankwaso went behind illegally to change the logo, colour and constitution of the NNPP to his advantage . He wanted to hijack the party for his personal gain and tradership ."
He further condemned the purported expulsion of the founder by the Kwankwaso faction, describing it as an act of “impunity and disrespect.”
According to him:
"The worst later happened that Kwankwaso and together with his kwankwasiya movement, claimed that they have expelled me from the party i founded and registered with INEC in 2001.
What an impunity, arrogance, disrespectfulness, betrayal of trust and systems corruption
"The NNPP constitution does not allow any member of the party to touch the founder, being a life member of the board.
"It is my belief that Kwankwaso may be carried away by greed, arrogance , inferiority complex and impunity to build on nothing.
"As a former minister of defence, a former member of the Federal House of Representative, a Senator of the Federal Republic, a two term governor and with a seating Gov ABBA KABIR YUSUF of kano as his godson,Kwankwaso is disposed to huge financial resources to do whatever he likes in a corrupt society. It is most unfortunate and regrettable"
Despite the crisis, Aniebonam expressed optimism about the future of the NNPP.
"NNPP shall come out stronger in 2027 as the party to watch despite the antics of Kwankwaso and his group," he added.
The leadership tussle within the NNPP has intensified in recent months, raising questions about the party’s structure, ownership.
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