The Founder of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, has condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission for assenting to the change in the NNPP logo and colour as well as the amendment of the party constitution.
Aniebonam also accused the National Leader of the NNPP, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, and his camp of disobeying the court order by holding a national convention and hoodwinking INEC officials to grace the event.
The NNPP founder expressed his anger at an interactive session with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.
While lamenting that many concerned Nigerians and stakeholders have blamed him for welcoming Kwankwaso and his loyalists into the party, Aniebonam disclosed that all he ever wanted was to ensure they create a platform that would result in a better Nigeria.
He, however, warned that the recent amendment of the constitution and change in logo, colour and flag are null and void as he is still in possession of the certificate that was used to register the party.
“I founded this party in 2001 with the aim of creating a space and choice for ordinary Nigerians. But it is no longer representing its name. All I wanted was a better Nigeria which Kwankwaso and the rest have frustrated. I am the founder and the chairman of the board of trustees of the party. It is also written in the constitution that I am a life member of the board. That means you cannot wake up tomorrow and say you have sacked me.
“But this Kwankwaso and his unemployed characters seem to be going about saying they have sacked the founder. Don’t you think something is wrong with them? Secondly, their penchant for disobeying the law and disrespecting court orders is unbelievable. You don’t have to be a lawyer to know that once a matter is before the court, everybody must remain in its original position pending the determination of the suit.
“Why are we then hearing that Kwankwaso has held a convention when the matter is in court? Yet, he and INEC were duly served. Why should INEC also attend that particular convention? That is nonsense. Again, why should INEC go to the extent of also approving the change in logo, flag and colour of the party?
“Here is the question: If you go to a bank to open a company account, won’t you be asked for relevant documents and the CAC certificate? The NNPP registration certificate is still in my possession. As of the time INEC approved the amending of the constitution and changing of the logo, didn’t it request the original certificate? What exactly is wrong with INEC? All I can say is that the chairman of INEC should improve on his supervision in the commission he is managing,” he stated.
The camp of Kwankwaso has, however, disagreed with the position of the founder.
Reacting via an exclusive phone chat, the National Publicity Secretary of NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, said Aniebonam’s claim was a falsehood.
While reiterating that INEC has not erred in the execution of its duties, Johnson insisted that the founder and his factional team remained expelled.
He said, “Aniebonam lied. Let him produce any court order that said there should be a status quo. There was a court summon. Expectedly, we turned up in court just like INEC, and their motion was struck out. The court also ruled that they were no longer members.”
When reminded that the NNPP constitution does not recognise the expulsion of its founder and a life member, Johnson kicked.
“You can only remain a life member if you are of good behaviour. It does not mean that you are above the Constitution. Go and look at the case of APGA involving Victor Umeh and others all the way to the Supreme Court. They removed their so-called founder, and the apex court upheld it.
“No one is above the constitution. The bottom line is that Aniebonam is out of the party and INEC has followed constitutional procedures.”