Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the founder of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has expressed his dismay over the recent Appeal Court ruling that resulted in the dismissal of Gov. Abba Yusuf, the NNPP governor in Kano.
Reacting to the Appellate Court’s decision to invalidate Yusuf’s electoral victory, Aniebonam emphasized that the determination of party membership should be solely within the purview of the party itself, rather than the judiciary.
Describing the ruling as a “rude shock,” Aniebonam stated, “The verdict of the appeal court in Abuja against the governor of Kano state, Abba Yusuf of NNPP, comes as a rude shock to me.”
He added, “I firmly believe that it is only the NNPP and its members that can ascertain the true members of the party.” Aniebonam emphasized that the party holds the authority to admit individuals and grant them waivers to represent the party in elections.
Addressing the issue of challenging the party’s membership, he remarked, “It is only someone who contested nomination under NNPP that can contest the membership of the party in an election. To the contrary, no other person has the right to raise an objection.”
Despite the setback, Aniebonam expressed confidence that justice would prevail. “Our hope is alive ahead of the Supreme Court judgment in due time,” he affirmed. He also urged members of the party and the people of Kano to maintain faith in the forthcoming final decision.
