Presidential Aspirants in the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP have decried the taking over of 90 percent of the party structures by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former Kano State Governor.
Kwankwaso had last month defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the NNPP.
The Presidential aspirants in a statement on Thursday urged the National Executive Council of the party to save the party from implosion.
The statement was signed by Madam Eliza Kemi Moses
, Mr Faduri Oluwadare Joseph
And Mr Victor Ani-laju. Others were Comrade Abubakar Magaji
, Comrade Abubakar Sadeeq Suleiman
Mr and Ifeanyi Christopher Joshua.
The aspirants also urged the NEC of the party to urgently review its published costs for Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for various elective positions.
They decried the undemocratic and unfair measures taken by the Party, to which they have made vital contributions towards mobilising its membership, owing to the joining of the Kwankwasiyya movement.
According to them, they have started growing the Party at the grassroots and
allowing moneybags to hijack the Party goes against its ethos as a Party of the masses.
The statement read in part: “Registered members of the New Nigeria People’s Party who have indicated their intention to vie for elective positions in the 2023 General Elections jointly call on the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the Party for a mandatory and urgent review of its published costs for Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for various categories of Elective Offices.
“Three Presidential Aspirants decried the undemocratic and unfair measures taken by the Party, to which they have made vital contributions towards mobilising its membership, owing to the joining of the Kwankwasiyya movement, which in a fortnight overhauled the internal structure of the Party and through its National Convention, seized control of up to 90% of the Party Structure.
“Aspirants to other political offices also lamented the lack of democratic and participatory processes in decision making of the NEC as efforts to engage with the Committee were blocked.
“According to some, they have started growing the Party at the grassroots and
allowing moneybags to hijack the Party goes against its ethos as a Party of the masses. Others were of the opinion that the Party is now being run as a sole proprietorship business with lack
of respect for the voices of stakeholders. For some others, the NEC should have made the cost of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms very affordable so that Aspirants can
spend money on mobilizing grassroots support.
“The issues as aggrieved Aspirants jointly agreed are:
The exorbitant charges of the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms;
The limited timeframe given for the purchase of the expensive forms;
The hurriedly published costs to the extent that obvious errors were unnoticed;
Taking over about 90% of the NNPP structure;
The sly encouragement of Aspirants to participate in Party jingle which from every indication
is aimed at projecting a consensus candidate with all others as his followers; and
The clear indication that all of the above is being done to push other contestants aside, specifically targeting Presidential Aspirants who have been tasked to pay Thirty Million Naira (N30,000,000.00) between April 11 and April 15, thus giving very slim chances for others to
contest against Engr Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
“According to the National Publicity Secretary, Amb. Major Agbo Gilbert, in a Press Conference,
he categorically stated that there are 15 Presidential Aspirants. Most of these Aspirants have
indicated interest prior to the joining of the now Party Leader, Engr Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (a ceremonial role not recognised in the Constitution of the NNPP). There now m remains 4 Presidential Aspirants, including the Party Leader, 2 Youth Aspirants and 1 Female Aspirant”.
In one voice, they sued for peaceful, fair and open processes throughout the Party Primaries, with respect for the democratic rights of all contestants, and for immediate reconsideration
of the decision of the NEC to prevent further breakdown of the Party.
