The National Peace Committee of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has called on the National Working Committee (NWC) to retract the expulsion order against the party’s founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam. The committee further advised the NWC to issue a letter of apology to Mr Aniebonam for the indiscretion displayed in the expulsion order.
In August, the Rabiu Kwankwaso-led faction of the party expelled Dr. Aniebonam, who is also the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), as well as other members, stating allegations of anti-party activities. The expulsion was declared to take immediate effect.
However, the chairman of the NNPP’s National Peace Committee, Azubike Anazor, stated on Sunday in Lagos that Mr Aniebonam deserves to be always honored since he is the founder of the party. Anazor acknowledged that Aniebonam provided the platform for the party’s participation in the various contests during the 2023 general elections.
The chairman also urged the NNPP’s acting national chairman, Abba Ali, to facilitate an urgent meeting between Aniebonam and Kwankwaso and subsequently organize follow-up meetings between the two, excluding any third party.
Additionally, Anazor emphasized that the NWC and the national executive committee must suspend any intentions to amend or recommend amendments to the party’s constitution. He highlighted that any amendments aimed at diminishing the powers of the party’s organs as currently constituted could only breed animosity and suspicions of a takeover from the party’s founders.
Furthermore, Anazor called for a halt to all hostile press conferences, press releases, and television interviews that seek to escalate the crisis within the party. He stressed that the NNPP aims to provide Nigerians with credible opposition and position themselves for significant victories in the 2027 general elections. These goals can only be achieved through unity, increased membership, and avoiding suspensions, expulsions, and exclusionary actions.
The National Peace Committee has been able to identify the real contentious issues between the warring factions within the party, which, unfortunately, have been allowed to fester and threaten the very existence of the party itself. These issues include allegations of presidential candidate and national leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso attempting to seize control of the party and marginalize its founding members in favor of the Kwankwasiyya group. The proposed amendment to the constitution, aimed at reducing the powers of the Board of Trustees and the party’s founder, is seen as part of this scheme.
On the other hand, it has been alleged that some leaders in the old and defunct NNPP have been compromised by an opposition political party in Kano State to discredit Kwankwaso, with the intention of reducing his influence in the NNPP.
Anazor also noted that the expelled party executives in the states have raised concerns about a lack of fair hearing in their suspension and subsequent expulsion. The committee found that the recent expulsion of Aniebonam from the party was considered to be an unjustifiable act by his supporters. Anazor added that the expulsion violates the NNPP Constitution, which grants Aniebonam “Life Membership” on the party’s Board of Trustees.
It is imperative for the NNPP to address these internal conflicts and ensure the party’s unity, order, and adherence to democratic processes. The National Peace Committee’s recommendations, if implemented, can contribute to fostering peace, restoring confidence, and positioning the NNPP for success in future elections.
NAN
