Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, founder NNPP
Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the founder of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has voiced his disappointment at Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya Movement for what he perceived as an attempt to hijack the party structure, labeling it a betrayal of trust.
During a press conference in Lagos, Dr. Aniebonam revealed that he had offered Kwankwaso the NNPP platform with the goal of supporting his presidential aspirations for the 2023 elections.
Advertorial
Highlighting his significant role in establishing and nurturing NNPP from 2002 until 2022, Dr. Aniebonam recounted how he facilitated Kwankwaso’s entry into the party following a plea from Buba Galadima, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, and Prof. Sam Angai.
However, Dr. Aniebonam expressed dismay at recent developments, particularly Kwankwaso’s public unveiling of a new logo and flag for NNPP without consultation.
He emphasized that Kwankwaso’s actions violated the party’s constitution and undermined its integrity.
Asserting his authority as the party’s founder and a life member of the board, Dr. Aniebonam denounced the purported convention held by Kwankwaso’s faction, citing a court ruling declaring it null and void.
He vowed to pursue legal avenues, including potential Supreme Court intervention, to address the internal crisis.
“He joined this party for one good reason that he wanted to be president of Nigeria in the last 2023 general election,” he said.
“After the talks, I placed a call to Kwankwaso and after asking him questions about his intentions for Nigeria, I offered him the platform of NNPP as the sole candidate of the party.”
“All this time. I want to believe Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, my very good friend is not aware of what is happening in that party.
“I want to believe so because, the National Working Committee has been directly involved in the day-to-day activities of the party under the leadership of the National Chairman, so I kept quiet, but now, just last week, I was shocked to see Senator Kwankwaso on a live television programme displaying a new logo for NNPP, displaying a new flag for the party.
“It underscores mutilation of the constitution of the party. Before this time, I was having this feeling that his body language seems to be supporting what is going on, but for him to come openly on a live television programme, then I want to believe something is wrong, and if I keep quiet, it is not for the interest of the party, and that is the essence of this gathering,”
“This means that the issues can only be settled using the constitution. However, we are ready to pursue the interpretation of the constitution up to the Supreme Court,” he added.
Dr. Aniebonam said even if Kwankwaso were to be pardoned, he would no longer enjoy sole candidacy within NNPP, signaling a significant rift between the party’s leadership and the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
