The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NNPP

  • JUST IN: NNPP wins two Kano Assembly rerun

    JUST IN: NNPP wins two Kano Assembly rerun

    New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) has won two House of Assembly seats in the rerun election held in Kano on Saturday, February 3.

    Following a directive from the appeal court, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted rerun elections on Saturday in 20 polling units of Kura/Garun Malam and 33 polling units in Rimin Gado/Tofa state constituencies.

    However, INEC suspended the rerun polls in Kunchi/Tsanyawa state constituency due to disruptions and irregularities, including the hijacking and snatching of electoral materials.

    The INEC declared Bello Muhammad Butu-Butu of the NNPP as the winner of Saturday’s rerun election at Rimin Gado/Tofa constituency.

    Also, Alhassan Zakariya Ishaq of NNPP won the House of Assembly by-election in Kura/Garun Malam constituency.

    The returning officer of the election, Prof. Ibrahim Tajo Suraj, declared that Alhaji Bello Muhammad Butu-Butu of NNPP polled 31,135 votes to defeat his opponent and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who got 25,577 votes.

    Prof. Shehu Musa Galadanchi, the returning officer of Kura/Garun Malam state Assembly rerun, declared Alhassan Zakariya Ishaq of the NNPP as winner of the election in the constituency.

    Ishaq garnered 37,262 votes to defeat Musa Hayatu Daurawar of APC who scored 30,803 votes.

    INEC on Saturday suspended the re-run polls in Kunchi/Tsanyawa state constituency of Kano.

    This was just as the police arrested dozens of hoodlums who allegedly snatched election materials during the rerun election polls in the area.

    INEC national commissioner and chairman Information and Voter Education committee, Sam Olumeku, said suspension of the rerun in the affected areas aligns with the provisions of Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    The electoral commission urged security agencies to investigate the incidents, saying necessary measures for the affected constituencies will be announced after the commission’s meeting on Monday.

  • NNPP fixes February 23 for Edo governorship primary

    NNPP fixes February 23 for Edo governorship primary

    • Party issues disclaimer on expelled members

    The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has fixed February 23 to elect its governorship candidate in Edo State ahead of the September election.

    The party has also disclaimed those it called expelled members but still parading themselves as officials of the party, despite a subsisting court order they have not challenged.

    It threatened to file contempt proceedings against those it said were still parading themselves as party officials, after their expulsion.

    Addressing reporters yesterday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, Acting National Chairman Kawu Ali said the PDP was ready for tomorrow’s rerun and by-elections across the country.

    The acting national chairman said the party had begun the sale of forms for the Edo State governorship elections at N10 million for Nomination Form and N1 million for Expression of Interest form.

    He added: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of NNPP wishes to put the record straight on the misconducts of some elements who have no locus but continue to parade themselves as leaders of our great party.

    “These people were expelled from the party in line with its constitution. Not only that, there is a restraining order of court of competent jurisdiction stopping them from parading themselves as leaders of this party.

    Read Also: Tinubu to University unions: prioritise dialogue to avoid frequent strikes

    “They neither challenged this order nor tried in any way to vacate it. As we are here today, the order subsists.

    “Flowing from above, all the activities of this renegade group amount to a contempt of court, which the laws of our great country seriously frown at. This court order was not only served on them but media houses were also copied.

    “However, it is very unfortunate that some media houses, unknowingly, apart from abetting these people, continue to flout the orders of the honourable court. We wish to use this medium to appeal to our friends in the media to avoid being dragged by these characters into flouting a valid court order…”

    Commenting on tomorrow’s polls, Kawu said the NNPP was prepared to participate in them in about 26 states.

    He urged Nigerians to cooperate with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deliver elections.

  • NNPP faction wants INEC update of party NEC records

    NNPP faction wants INEC update of party NEC records

    • Says Kwankwaso, others expelled

    A Faction of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) yesterday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to update its records on the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) membership.

    The party in a statement by its Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Dr Temitope Aluko, also urged the media to respect the NNPP constitution by recognising only officers duly elected in accordance with the party’s constitution.

    Aluko said that NNPP chieftains like Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso and the entire membership of the old National Working Committee (NWC) led by Alhaji Abbah Kawu had since been expelled and INEC appropriately and duly informed in that regard.

    He noted that INEC had no powers to meddle in the internal affairs of a political party.

    “Once again, may we use this public space to remind the INEC, through its Chairman, that we have requested for the urgent need to update their records of the National Executive Committee of the NNPP.

    “It is instructive to indicate herein that the constitution of the NNPP is supreme and binding on all members, without prejudice to the overarching Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act.

    “With the nation’s Constitution being the unquestionable ground norm, every other establishment in Nigeria derives its powers of establishment and operations from the said Constitution,” Aluko said.

    According to him, the mandate and powers of INEC to register, control and regulate political parties are constitutionally provided and the party is aware of this.

    “However, INEC does not have powers to meddle in the internal administration and management of political parties.

    “Otherwise, it will be tantamount to avoidable breach of the constitutional rights of Nigerians to freely associate.

    “What we try to put across herein is simple and unambiguous.

    “The extant powers of the board members of the NNPP in relation to resolution of the party’s internal matters are very clear.

    “The board has powers to call to order any member who acts contrary to its norms,” he said.

    The BOT chairman said that NNPP chieftains like Kwankwaso, Elder Buba Galadima and the sacked and defunct National Working Committee, NWC, led by Kawu, had been in gross abuse of the constitutional provisions of the new NNPP with impunity.

    According to him,  the unceremonious exit of its former National Chairman, Prof. Rufai Alkali, Prof. Angwe Samuel and Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi among others were pointers that all was not well with the internal administration of the party.

    He decried issues bordering on corruption, high handedness, lack of transparency and accountability on the part of the defunct NNPP National Working Committee (NWC) members.

    “All these avoidable acts of gross misconduct led to the invitation of the concerned persons by the Board of Trustees for explanation but they refused to provide answers to the queries.

    “Indeed, the board had to invoke its inherent powers by calling them all to order and decisively expelling them.

    “The action of the board, having subsequently been ratified by the General Assembly of the Party, has been communicated to the Chairman of INEC, and the commission duly acknowledged same and pledged to update its records.

    “The surprising and very embarrassing thing today is that INEC is still dealing with the expelled members of the party.

    Edo 2024: I will get APC’s ticket, win gov election – Ize-Iyamu declares

    “This is aside the fact that this matter is pending before a Federal High Court, with INEC duly served and notified,” Aluko said.

    He said that while the party acknowledged the powers of INEC to regulate and control political parties, the commission should be seen to act as a neutral body to all political parties and try to respect the internal administration of each of the parties.

    According to him, under these circumstances, it shall be more responsible on the part of INEC as a regulator, having received a notification, to invite both parties with a view to ascertaining facts and be in a better position to make an informed decision.

    ” The chairman of INEC and the commission itself shall take a cue from the judiciary at the moment and strive to add value to the ethos of democracy, rule of law and conflict resolution,” he said.

    On the media, Aluko said that the practitioners should know that there was no faction in the NNPP.

    He added: “Rather, Kwankwaso and the entire membership of the old NWC led by Kawu have since been expelled and INEC appropriately and duly informed in that regard.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the new principal officers of the NNPP are Dr Gilbert Agbo Major as the National Chairman, Comrade Ogini Samuel as the Secretary General and Dr TKO Aluko as the Chairman, Board of Trustees.

    “Dr Aniebonam Boniface is the Founder and Spiritual Leader of the NNPP and Governor Abbah Yusuf of Kano State is the Leader of the Party.”

    He said that the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) should be allowed to operate without any strings from the INEC.

    “By so doing, we shall be adding value to the cause of genuine democracy in Nigeria,” he said.

  • Ogun NNPP has no factions – Chairman

    Ogun NNPP has no factions – Chairman

    The caretaker chairman of New Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP) in Ogun State, Prince Ibrahim Adekunle, has said the party has no factions.

    He stated the former Ogun chairman of the party, Sunday Oginni and others who were expelled last year by the National Executive Committee of the party on alleged anti- party activities are no longer members. 

    A statement by the party’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Olowu Omokehinde affirmed that the party, under Adekunle’s leadership is the only authentic NNPP in the state.

    It reads: “This is to inform and reaffirm to the general public and all our bonafide members across the 20 local government areas in Ogun state that the NNPP in Ogun state which is under my watch has no other faction, anyone or group of people addressing him or herself as the state chairman is a counterfeit, fake and act of impersonation.

    “He or she, is on his or her own and trying to deceive the general public and therefore, the general public should beware of such people or group of people and their antics.

    “The Prince Ibrahim Adekunle-led NNPP in Ogun state and his Caretaker members are the authentic executive recognized by the National body of the party and by extension, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).

    “Any unknown group of people who are still claiming membership of the party and gather to hold the state meeting in a venue apart from the main NNPP secretariat building in Adatan area of Abeokuta, should be reported to the nearest security agencies, saying they will be prosecuted for impersonation.

    “In the same vein, we are equally appealing and directing all the respected media houses, not to entertain or air their contents in their media houses using NNPP’s platform, because that will amount to impersonation of characters, and a law suit may be instituted against the media houses who entertain such parallel entities, who are claiming to be under the National body of NNPP, but they are impersonators. 

    Read Also: JUST IN: Gunmen assassinate Ogun chief

    Adekunle however said the party is still open to anyone who wishes to join and become authentic member, saying such person should pass through all laid down procedures by contacting officials at the party’s secretariat or its campaign office.

    He said NNPP Ogun chapter and the National body of the party will continue to protect, defend, promote, and serve the interest of all its members who are fully registered, and they shall be recognized at all times under his leadership. 

    The National Executive Committee expelled the former chairman of the party in Ogun state, Mr Olaposi Sunday Oginni on alleged anti- party activities.

  • NNPP chieftain Ajadi commends Supreme Court over judgement on Kano Gov poll

    NNPP chieftain Ajadi commends Supreme Court over judgement on Kano Gov poll

    A chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP) Amb. Olufemi Ajadi has commended the Supreme Court for upholding justice, saying the judgement on Kano Governorship poll has saved the country’s democracy.

    He felicitated with Governor Abba Yusuf on his victory, noting it is well deserved and good development for Kano State.

    The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the election of Abba Yusuf as Kano Governor.

    A five-member panel of the apex court held that the tribunal and the Court of Appeal erred by sacking Yusuf, candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) as Governor. 

    A statement by Ajadi after the judgement stated that the Supreme Court with its decision has saved democracy.

    According to him: “We know all along that the wishes of millions of Kano voters will be upheld. I thanked our supporters nationwide for their peaceful conducts in the face of provocation by the All Progressives Congress, (APC) which wanted to take victory through the backdoor.”

    “I now call on Governor Abba Yusuf to continue his good work for the progress of Kano State. I also felicitate our leaders led by Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso for their maturity, and peaceful conduct while the  case lasted, we thank God for the victory and NNPP will from now on go from leap to leaps.”

    In March 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Yusuf as the winner of the Kano governorship election.

    The Kano Governor scored 1,019,602 votes to defeat Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 890,705 votes.

    In September, the Kano governorship election petition tribunal sacked Yusuf as Governor. 

    The tribunal deducted 165,663 votes from the 1,019,602 recorded for Yusuf because the ballot papers were not stamped, signed and dated as required by law.

    The tribunal declared Gawuna a winner of the election.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Supreme Court upholds NNPP’s Yusuf election as Kano governor

    Displeased with the verdict, the NNPP and its candidate challenged the judgment at the appellate court.

    On November 17, 2023, the court of appeal upheld the tribunal’s verdict and added that Yusuf was not a member of the NNPP when he contested the election.

    However, controversy trailed the verdict days later when an alleged Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Appeal Court judgment surfaced, contradicting the November 17 ruling.

    The copy of the judgment ruled against and in favour of the NNPP candidate simultaneously, eliciting outrage on social media platforms and the streets.

    The appeal court issued a statement blaming “clerical error” for the contradictions and discrepancies.

  • Tension hits Kano as APC, NNPP’s supporters await Supreme Court judgment

    Tension hits Kano as APC, NNPP’s supporters await Supreme Court judgment

    There is palpable tension in Kano state as people are divided ahead of the Supreme Court judgment in the governorship tussle between the the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

    The polity is heating up daily. The legal battle is between Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the (NNPP) and the APC candidate, Dr. Nasiru Gawuna.

    Yusuf, with his supporters, and Gawuna, with his, are keen to make history in the court. Some supporters have gone spiritual over to guber battle.

    Yusuf, along with his backers, and Gawuna, with his own supporters, are eager to create a historic moment in the courtroom.

    It was gathered that some supporters have turned to spiritual practices in the gubernatorial battle.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Yusuf as the winner of the March 18 poll. But Gawuna and the APC petitioned the poll outcome.

    No fewer than nine appeals and counter-appeals have been thrown up since Gawuna lit legal fire.

    A five-member panel of the apex court, presided over by Justice John Okoro, reserved judgment after hearing at the weekend.

    Read Also: How ‘quack doctor’ saved 18 pupils after food poisoning in Osun school

    The court said its decision in the appeal heard was to be applied to others because the issues are similar. After lawyers in the case adopted their written briefs and made the final submissions, Justice Okoro said the judgment had been reserved till a date to be communicated to parties.

    Yusuf is by his appeal, seeking to upturn the November 17 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed the September 20 decision of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal nullifying his victory in the March 18 poll.

    But lawyer to the APC and its candidate in the election, Nasir Gawuna, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN), is urging the court to dismiss the appeal and affirm the concurrent findings of the two courts below.

    Olujinmi cited Section 42 of Electoral Act and Regulation 19 of INEC Electoral Guidelines, arguing that INEC ought to have stamped, dated, and signed the ballots that were being disputed.

    He faulted Olanipekun’s claim that only 1,886 votes were not signed and stamped by INEC.

    The APC lawyer cited Section 177 (c) of the Constitution, arguing that the Court of Appeal has the jurisdiction to hear and determine Yusuf’s membership of the NNPP.

    He recalled that the NNPP produced its membership register but Yusuf’s name was conspicuously absent, adding that Yusuf did not address the court on that issue.

    The appeal lapses on January 14, 2024 and the Supreme Court must deliver judgment on the suit within the statutory 60 days it has to determine appeals on governorship election disputes.

    The tribunal had voided Yusuf’s victory after declaring 165,616 of his votes were invalid, a decision the three-member panel of the Court of Appeal that sat in Abuja affirmed.

    The police are saving the day. Political hoodlums plotting to take advantage of the legal battle and cause mayhem are being neutralised by the police and other sister security agencies.

    A joint security operatives, including Army, Police, Civil Defence, vigilante and other security personnel have been manning major locations in the state capital to ensure no riot breaks out.

    According to the Police Commissioner in Kano state, Hussaini Gumel, in the week foiled an attempt by some persons to burn the Government House and the APC secretariat in the state.

    Dr Ilyasu Musa Kwankwaso, an ex-Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, has asked the NNPP to “stop wasting Kano’s meagre resources and wait for the Supreme Court judgment.

    He accused Governor Yusuf of bankrolling “stage-managed protests designed to create tension in the state and make it look like all is not well.”

  • Kano: No deal with NNPP to compromise Supreme Court verdict, says APC

    Kano: No deal with NNPP to compromise Supreme Court verdict, says APC

    • Ruling party dispels rumours with opposition

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday dispelled rumours of having a deal with the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to influence the Supreme Court to rule in favour of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf.

    The party also debunked the existence of any deal in which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu agreed that the NNPP candidate would remain the governor and alter defection to the APC.

    In a statement in Abuja, Kano State APC Chairman Abdullahi Abbas dismissed the speculation of any agreement and reconciliation between the party and the NNPP.

    He described the insinuations as “mere rumours”.

    Abbas said: “The rumours had it that the NNPP has reached out to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the matter in favour of the NNPP candidate to remain as governor and subsequently decamp to the APC.

    Read Also: Clark to CJN: correct grave anomalies in judiciary 

    “There is nowhere such a meeting was held with either Mr. President or any leader of the party. President Bola Tinubu is a Democrat and strongly believes in the rule of law and the right thing to be done. Therefore, he will not be a part of any arrangement or reconciliation to subvert justice and support people who have stolen votes or breached the Electoral Act to emerge as leaders.”

    Abbas stressed that APC would intensify efforts to pursue its case at the Supreme Court to a logical conclusion.

     The APC Kano chairman assured the ruling party’s supporters and the people of Kano State that the party’s standard bearer would be victorious at the apex court.

    He said there were concrete and convincing evidences the APC had presented at the tribunal and the Appeal Court which ultimately led to the party’s success.

    On the “anticipated crisis” purportedly sponsored by the NNPP, the APC chairman said there was no tension in Kano State.

    According to him, the people are happy with the recent developments from the judgment of the tribunal and the Appeal Court and are anxiously waiting for the apex court to examine the two rulings on their merits.

    Abbas said Kano remained peaceful and that the people were conducting their normal businesses, despite efforts by the NNPP to provoke and incite youths to create a political crisis in the state.

  • Kano: No deal with NNPP to compromise Supreme Court judgement, APC dispel rumour

    Kano: No deal with NNPP to compromise Supreme Court judgement, APC dispel rumour

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday dispelled rumours of entering into a deal with the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to influence the Supreme Court to rule in favour of the Kano state governor, Abba Yusuf,

    The party also denied insinuation that President Bola Tinubu held a meeting where he intervened in favour of the NNPP candidate to remain as governor, in anticipation of his (Yusuf) subsequent decamping to the APC.

    The election of the NNPP candidate had been sacked by the Kano State Governorship Election Tribunal and declared the APC flag bearer, Dr Nasir Gawuna as the winner of the March 18 governorship election. The Court of Appeal also affirmed the judgement of the tribunal forcing Yusuf to approach the Supreme Court for a reversal of the judgement.

    Kano state APC chairman, Abdullahi Abbas in a statement in Abuja dismissed the speculation of any agreement and reconciliation between the party and NNPP, describing it as “mere rumours,” insisting that no deal was struck with anybody on the matter before the apex court.

    He noted that only desperate leaders of the NNPP have been spreading rumours.

    Read Also: Ex-APC national chair, Adamu, announces retirement from politics

    According to Abbas: “The rumours had it that the NNPP has reached out to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the matter in favour of the NNPP candidate to remain as governor and subsequently decamp to the APC.

    “There is nowhere such meeting was held with either Mr President or any leader of the party. President Bola Tinubu is a Democrat and strongly believes in the rule of law and the right thing to be done therefore will not be part of any arrangement or reconciliation to subvert justice and support people who have stolen votes or breach the electoral act to emerge as leaders.”

    Abbas further pointed out that APC as a party was not aware of such an arrangement and would instead intensify all efforts to pursue its case at the Supreme Court to a logical conclusion.

    Assuring APC supporters and the people of Kano state, the chairman expressed confidence that the party standard bearer would emerge victorious at the Court, especially from the concrete and convincing evidence presented at both the Tribunal and the Appeal Court which ultimately led to the party’s success.

    On the issue of the so-called anticipated crisis also sponsored by the NNPP, the APC said there was no tension in Kano, stressing that the people are happy with the recent developments emanating from the judgement of both the Tribunal and Appeal Court and therefore anxiously waiting for the Apex Court to endorse the two concurrent rulings.

    He said Kano is very peaceful and the people are conducting their normal business despite all efforts by the NNPP to provoke and incite youth to create unnecessary political crisis in the state.

    Abbas assured that the party will ensure harmonious and peaceful relationships with ethnic groups and nationalities in the state no matter the provocation by the NNPP.

    He urged all the party members and Nigerians to ignore all the propaganda, and provocation and remain calm because Kano would always remain peaceful.

  • NNPP ready for alliance, merger with APC – Kano Rep Jibrin

    NNPP ready for alliance, merger with APC – Kano Rep Jibrin

    The New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) is open to allying with the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to Abdulmumin Jibrin, a member of the House of Representatives who represents the Kiru and Bebeji Federal Constituency.

    In a message he shared on his X account on Friday, Mr Jibrin refuted rumours circulating in the media that his party, the NNPP, is in merger negotiations with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to a widely circulated message on some sections of the media that our great party, NNPP is in talks with the PDP and other parties for possible coalition.

    “There is no any element of truth in this. It’s a blatant lie. Our party has consistently maintained a neutral stand that we are open to collaboration, alliance, and even merger with the APC, PDP, LP and any other political party.

    Read Also: PDP, NNPP, five others form coalition of concerned political parties

    “There is presently no any talk whatsoever ongoing and the party did not attend any meeting to discuss coalition or merger with PDP or any other party. It is an act of mischief makers and should be regarded as such.”

    Special prayers were said on Monday in Kano for President Bola Tinubu and Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, the National Leader of the NNPP, according to a different statement made by the lawmaker’s media assistant, Sani Paki.

    In his brief remarks at the event, Mr Kofa said his relationship with Mr Tinubu is no secret.

  • Heavy security in Kano as APC, NNPP shelve rallies

    Heavy security in Kano as APC, NNPP shelve rallies

    Normalcy returned to Kano on Saturday. The purported planned protest by both the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) did not hold.

    There was the presence of security personnel in some strategic places in the state.

    Kano residents were seen moving freely and transacting their businesses without fear.

    None of the parties came out for the procession as planned. The Nigerian police and other sister security agencies saved the day, it was learned.

    Read Also: Kano stable as NNPP, APC shelve proposed protests

    Joint security operatives, including the army, police, civil defence, vigilante, and other security personnel had to man major locations in the state capital to ensure no riot broke out.

    The Nation learned that traders who went out for early morning business activities, as early as 6 am, were turned back by fierce-looking security operatives, a situation that forced them to leave.

    But later in the day, most markets, like Abubakar Rimi, Yankura, Naibawa, Yankaba, and other markets later opened for smooth business activities.