A deepening crisis within the New New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has escalated with the suspension of its founder, Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam, and the National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Agbo Major. The suspension was announced by the National Working Committee (NWC) of NNPP, represented by acting National Chairman Mallam Abba Kawu Alli and National Auditor Oladipo Johnson.
At a press briefing yesterday, the NWC disclosed that the suspension of Aniebonam and Major would be effective immediately, pending investigations by the Disciplinary Committee at the party’s National Level. This move comes amidst a wave of internal repositioning efforts, which previously resulted in the expulsion of two party members and the suspension of seven former state chairpersons, along with the dissolution of executive committees in nine state chapters.
Dr. Agbo Major, however, swiftly denied the suspension reports, characterizing them as a “comic show” akin to Nollywood or Hollywood fiction. He asserted that he and Dr. Aniebonam, as the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT), remain fully operational within the party.
The root of the crisis appears to be centered around a power struggle and disagreements over party decisions. The NWC expressed concern over Dr. Aniebonam’s alleged unilateral reversals of decisions made by the NWC and ratified by the National Executive Committee (NEC). The NWC cited these actions as a disregard for party structure and norms.
In defense of their decision, the NWC asserted that Dr. Aniebonam and Dr. Agbo Major, along with their associates, were engaged in anti-party activities and actions that could harm the party’s reputation. The NWC emphasized that the suspension was intended to maintain party discipline and integrity.
Dr. Major, however, dismissed the suspension as a joke and highlighted that the Board of Trustees holds the authority to rein in officers who deviate from the party’s constitution. He implicated former presidential candidate Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in attempts to manipulate the party’s direction.
An upcoming board meeting, scheduled for August 28, 2023, in Lagos, is anticipated to address the current crisis and deliberate on the alleged unlawful actions by the NWC. The outcome of this meeting is expected to shed further light on the internal dynamics of NNPP’s power struggles and the future direction of the party.
