On Sunday, the National Working Committee of the New Nigeria People’s Party criticized the recent visit by its former presidential candidate, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to Abia State Governor Alex Otti.
In an emergency meeting at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, the NWC called Kwankwaso’s November 9 visit a “deceptive tactic” related to a recent Abia State High Court decision impacting the party’s internal organization.
The crisis rocking the NNPP deepened recently, with a faction of the party expelling Kwankwaso, the Kano State governor, Abba Yusuf, and Kwankwasiya group members.
Also, there has been a crisis in the Kano State chapter of the party, with members reportedly asking the governor to stop the overbearing influence of the former presidential candidate of the party.
In a statement issued by the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Abdulrasalam Abdulrazaq, on Sunday, the party noted that Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiya group members were expelled from the party, and any attempt by the expelled members to represent the national executive is an act of “irresponsibility and impersonation.”
To this extent, the NWC pointed out that those expelled individuals did not hold any recognized position within the NNPP, and their claims to leadership were invalid.
At the heart of the controversy is the Abia State High Court ruling, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to transfer the party’s administration to the Board of Trustees, led by Dr Boniface Aniebonam, in accordance with the NNPP’s 2022 constitution.
The NWC urged Otti to avoid involvement in the NNPP’s internal affairs, warning against any attempt by Kwankwaso to “destabilize” the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. “Governor Otti is a democrat, who respects the rule of law, and we trust he understands the separation of powers,” the statement said.
Also, the party criticized Kwankwaso for allegedly using his influence to create internal discord within the NNPP since joining the party in 2022.
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