New Nigeria People’s Party has formally distanced itself from its former presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over his statement that he facilitated a meeting between Governor Abba Yusuf and certain Supreme Court judges in 2019.
NNPP, while clarifying its position over the weekend, stressed that Kwankwaso could not have acted on behalf of the party at the time, noting that he was not a member of the party in 2019 when the alleged event occurred.
NNPP in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Oginni Olaposi Sunday, rejected any attempt to connect the party to the controversy, urging the Nigerian Bar Association to remove the NNPP’s name from any petition submitted to the Inspector-General of Police regarding the matter.
“We are here to set the records straight. Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was not a member of the New Nigeria People’s Party in 2019 when he allegedly committed the offence of taking Governor Abba Yusuf to see some Supreme Court judges,” Oginni clarified.
The statement further explained that Kwankwaso only joined the NNPP shortly before the 2023 general elections, alongside other notable political figures such as Buba Galadima, Prof. Alkali, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, Prof. Hanga, and the current Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf.
Addressing claims of his involvement in the party’s creation, the NNPP stressed that Kwankwaso was never among its founders.
“Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was never one of the founding fathers of the NNPP. The authentic founder of the party is Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam,” the statement affirmed.
NNPP also accused Kwankwaso of attempting to seize control of the party after his membership, alleging that he unilaterally changed its logo and colours to mirror his Kwankwasiyya political movement without approval from either the founder or the Board of Trustees.
“It is sad that Senator Kwankwaso attempted to convert the intellectual property of the founder of NNPP to his personal use,” the statement said.
Recalling past internal disputes, the NNPP highlighted that a Kwankwaso-aligned faction had challenged the legitimacy of a party convention that elected Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major as National Chairman and Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday as National Secretary.
The case, the party noted, was dismissed by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
Reiterating its stance, the NNPP confirmed that Kwankwaso is no longer a member of the party, having been expelled shortly after the 2023 elections for “gross misconduct.” Oginni said.
“We are hereby reiterating the resolution of the National Working Committee that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is no longer a member of the NNPP.
“He was expelled shortly after the 2023 election for gross misconduct,” adding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja is investigating related issues.
NNPP affirmed its recognised leadership, with 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.
“Senator Kwankwaso has long been expelled from the NNPP and should no longer be addressed as the National Leader of our great party,” the party declared.
