The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) finds itself in turmoil as internal strife and allegations of anti-party activities continue to plague the party. This crisis has led to the expulsion of key figures, including Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, who was the party’s presidential candidate in the last general elections. The situation has also raised questions about the party’s future.
The crisis began with allegations that Senator Kwankwaso had engaged in anti-party activities and mismanagement of party resources. The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party expelled him for failing to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee to address these allegations. However, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party disputed this expulsion, claiming that those who expelled Kwankwaso did not have the constitutional authority to do so.
One of the primary issues that led to the crisis was Kwankwaso’s alleged attempt to negotiate ministerial appointments with President Bola Tinubu shortly after the election. The forum of NNPP chairmen accused Kwankwaso of this and demanded an explanation. When he failed to provide one, they insisted that he had violated the party’s constitution and had effectively resigned from the party.
Additionally, there were accusations that Kwankwaso collaborated with some NWC members to amend the party’s constitution to further their interests. These actions led to the expulsion of several state executives by the NWC.
The crisis escalated when President Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with Kwankwaso and other prominent NNPP members in Paris, which raised suspicions of a political alliance between them. Although the details of the meeting were not made public, it was seen as a strategic move by Tinubu to woo Kwankwaso back to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The situation became more complex when Kwankwaso was invited to Aso Rock by President Tinubu, suggesting a potential alliance. However, despite expressing his willingness to join Tinubu’s cabinet, Kwankwaso did not make the final list.
The crisis within NNPP also extended to the suspension of the party’s founding father and Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, who was accused of making unilateral decisions without consulting the NWC.
Political analysts have noted that the lack of internal democracy within NNPP and the failure to learn from the mistakes of other political parties have contributed to the ongoing crisis. They warn that if not managed carefully, the party could face further disintegration.
In summary, the NNPP is grappling with internal turmoil, including the expulsion of key members and allegations of anti-party activities. The party’s future remains uncertain as it navigates these challenges and strives to maintain its political relevance.
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