In a decisive move, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has officially expelled Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, the party’s 2023 Presidential Candidate, due to his alleged refusal to participate in proceedings before the party’s Disciplinary Committee. The expulsion comes as a culmination of an internal dispute that has shaken the NNPP in recent weeks.
Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso had previously faced suspension from the party’s leadership during the National Convention held on August 29 in Lagos. The NNPP’s NEC had established a Disciplinary Committee tasked with inviting Kwankwaso to respond to allegations of serious anti-party activities and the mishandling of party and campaign funds, within a stipulated timeframe of five days.
Warning of the consequences of non-compliance, the NEC had stated that failure to appear before the Disciplinary Committee would result in Kwankwaso’s expulsion from the party, in accordance with the provisions outlined in the party’s constitution for the year 2022 (as amended).
Subsequently, Mr. Abdulsalam Abdulrasaq, the Acting National Publicity Secretary of NNPP, announced in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos that the NEC had exercised its authority and expelled Sen. Kwankwaso with immediate effect. The expulsion was due to his persistent refusal to attend the committee’s inquiries.
Abdulrasaq remarked, “The NEC convened an emergency session on Friday, September 1, and reached the following resolutions: Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is hereby expelled from NNPP with immediate effect due to his refusal to appear before the disciplinary committee, despite being duly invited in writing.”
He further added, “The former presidential candidate, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, will also be reported to appropriate authorities to address questions concerning financial impropriety in relation to the mismanagement of public funds.”
The NNPP, once a united front, has been plagued by internal strife, which first became apparent when the National Working Committee (NWC), loyal to Sen. Kwankwaso, announced the suspension of the NNPP founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, and the National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Agbo Major, on August 24. This move further exacerbated the internal divisions within the party and ultimately led to Sen. Kwankwaso’s expulsion.
The NNPP now faces the task of regaining unity and refocusing its efforts ahead of the 2023 general elections as it seeks to rebuild its image and electoral prospects.
