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  • Ajadi seeks security protection for NNPP leaders

    Ajadi seeks security protection for NNPP leaders

    A chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP) Amb. Olufemi Ajadi has requested protection from the Police, Department of State Security (DSS) and other security agencies for leaders of the party over alleged threat to their lives. 

    He said protection for the leaders becomes necessary considering happenings in Kano State following controversy that followed Appeal Court verdict that sacked Governor Abba Yusuf. 

    A statement by Ajadi said with reports of threat to the lives NNPP leaders, security agencies to be on the alert and apprehend those planning the dastardly acts before they strike.

    According to him: “Elections should not be do or die. I am calling on the security agencies to please protect our leaders as there are threat to their lives and properties. 

    “According to information at the party’s disposal, there are alleged  plans by some people under the tag of “unknown gunmen” to attack the National Secretariat of our party while at the same time, some leaders of the party have been marked down for elimination.”

    Read Also: Police to Kano NNPP, APC: Drop protest plans

    “The security agencies should come to our aid. I implore our leaders and members across the country but most importantly in Kano State to remain peaceful but be at alert and watch out against attack.

    “Our Acting National Chairman, Abba Kawu Ali has also petitioned the Inspector General of the Police and the Department of State Security (DSS) about the reports of threat to lives and property of some leaders of our great party, the New Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP).

    “Our leaders have requested for a thorough investigation into this report and that they should produce adequate protection around our National Headquarters and leaders of the party.”

    “NNPP is a peace loving party. We don’t engage and will not engage in violence. But our lives and our properties should not be put in danger”. 

  • NNPP, Kano govt deny plot to attack APC, say legal issue will be settled in court

    NNPP, Kano govt deny plot to attack APC, say legal issue will be settled in court

    The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the Kano state government on Friday, November 24, dismissed claims by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, alleging plots to attack them on Saturday, November 25.

    Both the party and the government said the APC in Kano was probably planning to use political thugs to cause trouble in the state and blame it on them.

    A member of the National Working Committee of the party loyal to the presidential candidate and the national auditor of the party, Oladipo Johnson told The Nation that the allegations by the APC were baseless and without any iota of truth.

    Johnson said: “It’s just a lie. They are just trying to weep up sentiments and do what they have been asked to do by the leaders of their party in other to blackmail the NNPP.

    “Our members are peace-loving people.  The elections came, they didn’t fight. The tribunal judgment came, and they didn’t fight. That is a clear indication that they are peace-loving people.

    “All they want is for justice to prevail. So, let the APC members in Kano stop projecting.  They are projecting what they want to do because our people have never said the plan to do such things.  The public should know that the NNPP and Kwankwasiyya movement stand for peace.”

    Read Also: Tinubu wades into Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa’s feud

    The chief press secretary to the Kano state governor, Sanusi Bature also dismissed the allegations saying the matter in court will be settled in the court.

    Bature said: “There is no activity happening on Saturday that has any relationship directly or indirectly with the government, especially protest.

    “As a government, we are responsible for the protection of the lives of the people of Kano state be they citizens, residents, or neighbours. So, it is a mere allegation to say that the state is sponsoring any activity against the people.

    “The issue in court is a legal matter. It has started in court and will be settled in court.  They are probably trying to sponsor some thugs to orchestrate some evil activities in the name of the government or NNPP. 

    “So I want to dismiss this assertion that the government is sponsoring any protest because there is nothing like that. It is just propaganda sponsored by the APC.”

  • Kano: NNPP asks Supreme Court to reverse Appeal Court’s judgment

    Kano: NNPP asks Supreme Court to reverse Appeal Court’s judgment

    The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has asked the Supreme Court to reverse the November 17 judgment of the Court of Appeal, affirming the sack of its candidate, Kabir Yusuf as the Governor of Kano State.

    In a 10-ground notice of appeal filed yesterday, the NNPP also wants the apex court to “make an order upholding the portion of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, setting aside the judgment of the trial tribunal in petition No: EPT/RV/GOV/11/20235 and making order as to cost in favour of the appellant (NNPP).”

    The NNPP is contending,  in its first ground of appeal, that the Justices of the Court of Appeal erred to have, after noting that it’s candidate score the majority of votes cast, proceeded to hold at page 60 of its judgment that “when section 134(1)(a) of the Electoral Act , 2022 is juxtaposed and read in conjunction with section 177(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 ( as amended ), it is clear that a door, or at least a window, of jurisdiction has been opened to a court or tribunal to entertain and determine a claim or an assertion in an election petition that the person, whose election has been challenged, was not qualified to contest the election because he was not a member of a political party.”

    Read Also: Alake tours agencies under Solid Minerals ministry

    The NNPP also faulted the Appeal Court for allegedly delving into “alternative hypothetical scenario that party register could sustain ground of disqualification of 1st respondent (Yusuf) if the objection to the ground had not been upheld and thus disqualified appellants’ (NNPP) candidate by holding, at page 63 of the judgment to overrule the trial court.”

    It also stated that  Court of Appeal erred when it held that “if, as rightly found by the tribunal, that the appellant, Yusuf Abbe Kabir was not a member of the 1” respondent (NNPP) as at the time he was purportedly sponsored for the governorship election held on the 18th day of March 2023, then be was not qualified to contest the election by virtue of Section 177 (c) of the Constitution.

  • Merger talks: Shendam not speaking for NNPP – Nat’l chairman

    Merger talks: Shendam not speaking for NNPP – Nat’l chairman

    The National leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) says Yabuku Shendam is not its National Publicity Secretary, and so, cannot speak for the party including rumoured merger plan with other political parties.

    The NNPP National Chairman, Dr Major Agbo, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, said that Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulrasaq, remained the National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP.

    “We insist he is not a card carrying member of our party but probably the spokesman of Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso’s kwankwasiya group,” Agbo said.

    The chairman was reacting to recent statements by Shendam on the reported call by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the PDP for a merger among opposition parties to wrestle power from the APC in 2027.

    He said that Shendam was quoted as saying “the NNPP could only accept the proposal if Atiku would support Kwankwaso, to wrest power from the APC in 2027”.

    Agbo described Shendam as speaking for Kwankwaso whom he said, had long been expelled from the party by the NNPP Board of Trustees (BoT).

    “The BoT in its meeting on Aug. 28, had expelled Kwankwaso and the decision was ratified by the National Convention of Aug. 29 in Lagos due to anti party activities and  other serious infractions.

    “Kwankwaso is no longer a member of our party, cannot be its presidential candidate in 2027 and Shendam needs to know this,” he said.

    Agbo said  the party was not however,  aversed to any proposition that could bring true dividends of democracy to ordinary Nigerians.

    “Every Nigerian is interested in having a true democracy that is all inclusive, what we have now is far away from democracy.

    “So, if there is a proposition by opposition elements to ensure that democracy is installed, why not?.

    “However, that proposition must be given a good thought, considered by the founder and other founding members of our party,” he said.

    He said that such proposition must also be considered by the National Working Committee led by him,  and not by Kwankwaso and his kwankwassiya group.

    Agbo added: “Anything that will make Nigerians witness democracy is accepted but our certificate is independent.

    “Our certificate cannot be subsumed into any other as being imagined by Kwankwaso, Buba Galadima, Shendam and their kwankwassiya group who are no longer members of our party.”

    He said the party leadership, though aware that there was the need to canvass for support from people and other political parties to win the election, believe that single-handedly, NNPP could deliver Nigeria in 2027 through a credible candidate.

    Read Also: NNPP rejects Appeal Court Judgement, heads for Supreme Court

    He said that opposition parties leaders might wish to join NNPP as the party “walks toward rescuing Nigeria come 2027.

    “At the moment,  we are not considering any merger and if there will be in any form of alliance (certainly not merger) at all, it should be with the NNPP, because Atiku is now retiring.

    “So, he should support our party to enthrone a dependable leadership come 2027,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the leadership crisis rocking the NNPP started when a group loyal to its founder and BOT Chairman, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, suspended the party’s Presidential Candidate,  Kwankwaso.

    Similarly, a faction loyal to Kwankwaso also announced expulsion of some  national officers over alleged anti-party activities. (NAN)

  • NNPP rejects Appeal Court Judgement, heads for Supreme Court

    NNPP rejects Appeal Court Judgement, heads for Supreme Court

    The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has expressed sadness over the judgement of the Court of Appeal, which sacked Kano Governor Abba Yusuf, saying it will explore all legal means to reclaim its mandate.

    National Auditor of the party, Ladipo Johnson, told The Nation that the party will approach the Supreme Court with the belief that it will be successful in reclaiming the mandate.

    The Court of Appeal on Friday affirmed the judgement of the Kano Governorship Election Tribunal, which nullified the election of Yusuf, affirming the APC Candidate as the winner of the election.

    Johnson said the concern of the party is the people who voted for the NNPP saying issues. Of technicalities should not form the basis of denying the people their choice of a givernor.

    He said the NNPP was confident that the supreme Court will affirm the election of Engr Yusuf and appeal to the party supporters to. Remain calm and allow the party take the necessary steps to reclaim it’s mandate.

    Read Also: NNPP debunks merger talks with other parties

    The faction of the party loyal to the founder also rejected the decision of the Court of Appeal, saying the party still has an opportunity ti reckaim it’s mandate at the Supreme Court.

    National Chairman of the faction, Dr. Agbo Major, told The Nation that though the party was not happy with the Appeal Court judgement, it expects the judiciary, through the Supreme Court to redeem itself by doing the right thing.

    He said a system that encourages what he described as injustice does not augur well for the nation”s democracy.

    He said the party had expected the Court of Appeal to take a different stand from the tribunal, adding that “it is unfortunate that the Appeal Court went the same way. But we are confident that the Supreme. Court will do the right thing.

    ” After 22 years, our party was able. To won a governorship seat. But see what is happening now. We are not happy about that,” he said.

  • NNPP debunks merger talks with other parties

    NNPP debunks merger talks with other parties

    The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) said on Thursday in Lagos that it is not engaging in merger talks with any political party.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji AbdulRazaq AbdulSalam.

    “NNPP is an independent political group as such we stands firm in our commitment to respect all political parties and refuses to engage in merging with any party to combat another.

    “Our party values inclusivity and maintains a non-partisan approach.

    “It is crucial to note that those engaging the merger talk have been expelled from NNPP, and the party currently faces internal conflicts, pending court resolution.

    “Until proven otherwise, these internal matters take precedence,” the NNPP spokesman said.

    According to him, the resolution of the NNPP Board of Trustees (BOT) remains that the Abba Kawu- led National Working Committee (NWC) is dissolved and Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is expelled from the party.

    “While we note the merger proposal, the stance of our party is clear: we are not interested in the merger offer at this point,” AbdulSalam said.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Appeal Court sacks APC’s Kwankwaso, affirms NNPP candidate as Kano rep

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the crisis within the NNPP started when the NWC of the party loyal to Kwankwaso, announced the suspension of the NNPP founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam and the National Publicity Secretary, Dr Agbo Major on August 24.

    Consequently, the National Executive Committee of the party announced the expulsion of Kwankwaso, the party’s 2023 Presidential Candidate, following his alleged refusal to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee.

    The crisis within the party has continued to fester. (NAN)

  • NNPP chieftain reiterates commitment to youth devt

    NNPP chieftain reiterates commitment to youth devt

    A Chieftain of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Amb. Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo has reiterated his unwavering commitment and dedication to the development of Nigerian youth, saying this has been the driving force behind his venture into partisan politics.

    Ajadi made this declaration during an interview programme on a Lagos based radio,  Kennis 104. 1 FM  which was anchored by the renowned Broadcaster, Kenny Ogungbe at the weekend.

    Ajadi revealed how his generous initiatives have already left significant impacts on the lives of Nigerian youth, particularly those in Ogun state.

    He however said he still believe that he can do more for the youth through his involvement in politics.

    Ajadi who spoke on his involvement in the  human rights activities, also recalled his history of vocal advocacy for the liberation of youths from the oppressive tendencies of various governments, which he said ultimately motivated his entry into politics.

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    According to him, “I have the history of organizing protests to advocate for youth’s liberation from government’s injustices. However, recognizing the limitations of protests, I decided to join a political party with the intention of effecting change through good governance.”

    Ajadi, who was the NNPP’s gubernatorial candidate in Ogun state during the March 2023 election, underlined his unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes.

    He said that he had already positively impacted millions of people through philanthropic deeds and expressed a fervent desire to expand these efforts through his political platform.

    He said his ultimate goal is to extend humanitarian assistance to every nook and crannies of the country.

    He took a critical stance on the prevalent practices within some political parties, where power is often concentrated in the hands of a selected few, leading to the exclusion of many.

  • NNPP chieftain Ajadi condemns attack on NLC President, protesters

    NNPP chieftain Ajadi condemns attack on NLC President, protesters

    A chieftain of New Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP) Com. Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo has condemned attack on the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero and other peaceful protesters in Imo State on Wednesday.

    One person was feared dead and many others injured when Ajaero was arrested by security agents at Labour protest in Owerri, the Imo state capital.

    Suspected thugs allegedly descended on labour leaders and other protesters, smashing vehicles, inflicting injuries and dispossessing handsets, money, ATM cards among other valuables from labour leaders and others that had gathered at the NLC state secretariat to begin the scheduled protest over pending labour issues.

    Read Also: Ajaero: NLC, TUC list conditions to avoid nationwide strike Nov 8

    The NLC President, other national leaders of NLC and their Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) counterpart were at the State secretariat in Owerri to begin the planned protest ahead of strike scheduled for Thursday over backlog of unpaid salaries and allowances among others perceived sins of Imo state government against workers in the state.

    But Ajadi in a statement said peaceful protest is allowed under democratic rule and wondered why political thugs descended on peaceful protesters.

    According to him: “It is sad that peaceful protesters including the NLC leaders were attacked in Imo State .It is the highest display of barbaric attitude and this deserve condemnation from all well meaning Nigerians.”

    “Peaceful protests is normal and allowed in a democratic atmosphere. It is not an unusual thing for workers to demonstrate and protests against what they think infringe on their rights. What took place in Imo state last Wednesday where peaceful protesters were brutally attacked is the worst that can happen under a civilized administration.”

    “Those political thugs who descended on the peaceful workers have destroyed their future and that of their children”.

    Ajadi called on both Federal and Imo State governments to compensate family of those who lost their person and those who sustained injuries in the attack, saying security agencies should fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly acts and let them face the full wrath of law.

    Ajadi sent his condolences to the family of one person said to have died in the attack and wished those who sustained injuries quick recovery.

  • Appeal Court upholds Kano NNPP Reps member Jibrin’s election

    Appeal Court upholds Kano NNPP Reps member Jibrin’s election

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the election of the candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for the Kiru/Bebeji federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Abdulmumini Jibrin.

    The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment, dismissed the appeal by Muhammad Said Kiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for being unmeritorious.

    In the judgment read on Wednesday by Justice Anthony Ogakwu, the court upheld the earlier judgment by the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Kano, which had dismissed Kiru’s petition against Jibrin Kofa of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

    The Court of Appeal awarded N100,000 cost in favour of Jibrin and against the appellant.

    The tribunal had, while dismissing Kiru’s petition on September 6 held that he failed to call cogent witnesses to prove disenfranchisement during the conduct of the election.

    Read Also: Bayelsa’s poverty index, evidence of PDP’s failure, says LP candidate

    It further held that the documents tendered by both the petitioner and the respondents showed that Jibrin resigned his position as Executive Secretary of the Federal Housing Authority, 30 days before the conduct of the Election against the assertion by the petitioner.

    The Tribunal held: “The petitioner has failed woefully to prove that there were Electoral malpractices and not in compliance with the provision of the Electoral Act, 2022 as amended.

    “This petitioner is hereby dismissed for lack of merit. The sum of N100,000 cost is awarded jointly and severally against the petitioner in favour of respondents.”

    Respondents at the tribunal were the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Jibrin, and the NNPP.

  • NNPP crisis: Southeast stakeholders disown Kwankwaso

    NNPP crisis: Southeast stakeholders disown Kwankwaso

    The leadership crisis in the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) has deepened, following the stand of the Southeast stakeholders that their presidential candidate during the February 25, 2023 election, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, is no longer a member of the party.

    The stakeholders from Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Imo and Ebonyi states met yesterday in Awka, Anambra State, where the decision was taken.

    They reaffirmed the dissolution of Kawu Ali’s led-National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

    They alleged that Kwankwaso and some of his Kwankwasiya movement expired immediately after the conclusion of the February 25 presidential election.

    The Southeast leaders, therefore, called on the public not to have any political dealings with Kwankwaso and his group on the platform of NNPP again.

    The Southeast leaders said the founder of the party 21 years ago, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, remained the national leader of the party under the chairmanship of Dr. Agbo Major.

    The resolution was moved by Chief Ozeogu Stephen, acting Ebonyi State chairman of NNPP, and seconded by Nnani Emmanuel, acting publicity secretary in Imo State.

    The leaders accused the current NWC and Kwankwaso of hijacking the party structure from the original owners and for not involving the founder, Aniebonam, in the party’s scheme of things.

    Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Felix Chukwurah, said: “We are aware that NNPP as the number four out of 18 parties after the last general election has encountered encumbrances capable of destabilising its pursuits in many fronts towards claiming God’s mandate of producing number one citizen (the president) in Nigeria and other political offices in the three arms of government in the next political dispensation in 2027.

    “APC, PDP, LP and the rest of the political parties in Nigeria, including ours, are burdened with colours of quagmire internally and externally to the extent that some candidates who came out victorious in the last elections are already defecting to other parties for one reason or the other.

    “Our party, NNPP, is not immune to party quagmires, but the peculiarities in our circumstances are worth dealing with decisively to resist the obvious. 

    Read Also: FG, labour to meet on 15-point MoU implementation

    “We have a situation where the party constitution was grossly violated and abandoned for a new fresh one under the guise of amendment by some recent entrants in the party to enable them perfect a hijack of the party, founded and nurtured for 22 years by Dr. Aniebonam, supported by some other pioneer members.

    “We have a situation where the NWC was swallowed and manipulated by a few new entrants. They marshalled the NWC members to meetings in their private houses for easy access and control for selfish and unpopular decisions.

    “They frame anybody they set their eyes on, especially some state chairmen, who are not likely to support their hijack agenda and suspend or expel them all together. 

    “They conspired and replaced their imaginary enemies in many states with some Kwankwasiya members as the caretaker chairmen.”

    He, however, said NNPP was ready to take over Imo State Government House in the November 11 governorship election.