The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) finds itself engulfed in an escalating crisis with no apparent resolution in sight. Adding another layer of complexity, a faction within the party has announced the suspension of Rabiu Kwankwaso, the NNPP’s flag bearer in the presidential election held on February 25, 2023.
Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, secured the fourth position in the presidential race. The suspension was initiated by a group led by prominent NNPP figures, Boniface Aniebonam and Agbo Major. This decision comes as part of a series of moves that underline the growing internal discord within the party.
The suspension of Kwankwaso was announced following a special general assembly convened by the Aniebonam and Major-led faction. The assembly took place at Rockview Hotels in Lagos State’s Apapa area. The group pointed to “material evidence” that suggested Kwankwaso’s engagement in “anti-party activities” through discussions with key political figures, including President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP).
In response to these alleged activities, Kwankwaso has been handed a six-month suspension, pending the outcome of an investigation by a disciplinary committee.
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Notably, the Aniebonam and Major faction, which holds control over the NNPP Board of Trustees, has gone beyond Kwankwaso’s suspension. This faction also took the step of suspending the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. This decision stems from what the faction perceives as incompetence within the NWC and its failure to adhere to the party’s constitution and due process in filling vacant positions.
The faction’s communique, released following the assembly in Lagos, also revealed significant changes in leadership roles. Boniface Aniebonam stepped down as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, with Tope Aluko elected as his successor and Babayo Abdulahi taking up the position of BoT Secretary.
Contrary to these developments, the Kwankwaso-led faction swiftly responded with a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on the same day. During this meeting, Aniebonam and Major were expelled, and a range of motions were passed, addressing issues like the party’s logo, constitutional amendments, ratification of state caretaker committees, and the suspension of specific articles in the NNPP’s 2022 constitution.
The Abuja-based group dismissed the Lagos faction’s decisions as null and void, emphasizing their lack of effect. The Abuja meeting was attended by significant party figures, including Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, as well as Kawu Ismaila and Buba Galadima, among others.
As the NNPP remains engulfed in this intensifying conflict, the party’s future trajectory and leadership remain uncertain. The rival actions taken by the two factions reflect the deep-rooted divisions that the party must confront in order to move forward cohesively.