The National Working Committee (NWC) of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has frowned at the visit by its 2023 residential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State.

The NWC, at an emergency meeting held at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, on Sunday, described Kwankwaso’s November 9 visit as a “deceptive ploy” linked to an Abia State High Court ruling affecting the party’s internal structure.

The NNPP has been embroiled in a deepening crisis, marked by the expulsion of Kwankwaso, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, and members of the Kwankwasiya group by a faction of the party.

The Kano State chapter has also seen members urging Governor Yusuf to curtail Kwankwaso’s influence within the party.

In a statement released by NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Abdulrasalam Abdulrazaq, the party asserted that Kwankwaso and his group had been expelled and that any attempts to act on behalf of the national executive constituted “irresponsibility and impersonation.” The NWC emphasized that the expelled individuals held no legitimate positions within the party.

Central to the controversy is the Abia State High Court’s directive that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should transfer the party’s administration to the Board of Trustees (BoT), led by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, per the NNPP’s 2022 constitution.

The NWC urged Governor Otti to steer clear of the NNPP’s internal disputes and warned against Kwankwaso’s alleged attempts to “destabilise” the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Governor Otti is a democrat who respects the rule of law, and we trust he understands the separation of powers,” the statement noted.

Kwankwaso was further accused of leveraging his influence to create discord within the NNPP since his entry into the party in 2022, with the NWC claiming his goal was to “hijack” the party for personal gains, thereby betraying its founders’ trust.

Reaffirming its respect for the judiciary, the NWC stated that Kwankwaso should seek redress through legal channels rather than “disguised” political meetings.

“The judgment binds INEC, which is mandated to regulate political parties and their activities,” the statement read, urging legal pursuit over political manoeuvres.

The NWC also criticised Kwankwaso’s recent address to newly appointed police officers in Abia State, arguing that his call for a “fear of God” was hypocritical given his actions in Kano and within the NNPP.

“Had he truly adhered to this principle, he would not have attempted to hijack the party for personal gain,” the NWC remarked.

Dr. Aniebonam’s position as the BoT chairman and NNPP founder was reaffirmed, with the NWC stating that the expulsion of Kwankwaso and his group was final and aimed at restoring peace within the party.

“For the avoidance of doubt, INEC alone has the locus standi to appeal the court’s compelling order. Kwankwaso and his group’s expulsion is final, restoring peace within the party,” the statement concluded.