The founder of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Boniface Aniebonam, has again claimed that Rabiu Kwankwaso and Buba Galadima are trying to take control of a party he said they did not build.
Mr Aniebonam, who also serves as the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, released a statement in Lagos where he expressed worry over the rising tension within the NNPP.
A letter sent to INEC on October 31 by the Kwankwaso group, signed by Ahmed Ajuji and Dipo Olayoku, informed the electoral body of a plan to hold fresh congresses across the country. The letter explained that the ward, local government and state congresses would begin on November 24 and would lead to a national convention in January 2026.
Mr Aniebonam questioned the intention behind the move. He said, “It is regrettable to note that Kwankwaso, whom I gave the NNPP presidential ticket for free in 2023, can descend to the level of lacking in good conscience in the name of politics.”
He explained that Kwankwaso approached him through a team of respected Nigerians that included Galadima, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi and Professor Sam Angwe. According to him, they visited his hometown in Umuawulu, Anambra State, to ask for support so Kwankwaso could run for president under the NNPP in 2023.
He said he agreed without asking for anything in return. He added that the party also allowed members of the Kwankwasiya Movement to contest state assembly, House of Representatives and Senate seats without any financial demand.
Mr Aniebonam said there was a simple memorandum of understanding between the NNPP and the Kwankwasiya group which ended after the 2023 elections. After the polls, the party reviewed the agreement to assess what each side gained.
He said things changed when Kwankwaso allegedly attempted to alter the NNPP logo, colour and constitution. “He wanted to hijack the party for his personal gain,” he said.
The NNPP founder added that the most shocking part was when the Kwankwasiya Movement claimed they had expelled him from the party he registered with INEC in 2001. He described this as “impunity, arrogance, disrespect and betrayal of trust.” He stressed that the NNPP constitution protects the founder as a life member of the board.
Mr Aniebonam said he expected better conduct from Kwankwaso considering his experience as a former governor, senator, defence minister and political leader in Kano State.
He said the attempt to seize control of the party had triggered several court cases and caused many members to leave. Despite the crisis, he expressed confidence about the future of the NNPP. He said, “NNPP shall come out stronger in 2027 as the party to watch despite the antics of Kwankwaso and his group.”