Crisis has erupted in the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as the National Working Committee (NWC) has announced the suspension of founder of the party, Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam and national publicity secretary, Dr Agbo Major.
The NWC said the suspension of Aniebonam and Major is with immediate effect pending the determination of investigations by the disciplinary committee at the national level of the party.
The publicity secretary described the members of the NWC that announced the suspension as jokers.
In a statement that was signed by the acting national chairman, Abba Kawu Alli, the national auditor, Oladipo Johnson said the suspension followed unruly activities of the founding chairman of the party who feel the political platform is his personal estate.
Johnson said Aniebonam has arrogated to himself the right to solely reverse decisions of the party’s NEC, including the decisions that were ratified and adopted by NEC, a situation he said cannot be allowed to persist.
“In line with our constitution, we have today suspended Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam and the National Publicity Secretary Dr. Agbo Major pending the determination of investigations by the Disciplinary Committee at the National Level of the Party.
“Furthermore, the men and their suspended cohorts have, under Article 39.2 (7), been involved in anti-party activities and conduct which may likely have an adverse effect on the party or bring hatred, contempt, disrespect or ridicule to the party.
“They are also in the process of intentionally fictionalising the party, together with some of the earlier suspended members, amongst other things. Naturally, the gentlemen, along with others that were earlier suspended, have access in the first instance to the disciplinary committee, which will invite them for fair hearing, and also an appeal procedure, which is clearly laid out in our constitution.
“We must state that this party is one and that we shall stand up to those who would like to bring it to disrepute. We must let the press know that there are only a few disgruntled expelled and suspended members that have taken cover under Dr Aniebonam and have seemingly pushed him to perform acts that are inimical to the growth of the party and the operation of our constitution. As we know that they will issue spurious statements seeking to confuse the general public, we urge the press to address these people properly as suspended chairmen or members of the party,” Johnson said.
When contacted, Major who was allegedly suspended, simply said the acting committee members are jocking. “They are joking. That’s what I can say for now,” he said.
