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  • NNPP governorship candidate resigns from party

    NNPP governorship candidate resigns from party

    Prof. Bem Angwe, the governorship candidate on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Benue in the 2023 general elections, has withdrawn his membership from the party.

    Angwe’s resignation was contained in a letter he personally signed and addressed to the NNPP Ward Chairman of Mbatyu in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue.

    Angwe, who is also the former National Legal Adviser of NNPP, withdrew his membership ahead of the NNPP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting slated for Aug. 29, 2023.

    “Taking cognizance of the fact that the current development in the party is not conducive nor healthy for my continued stay in, and membership of the party;

    “Desirous of resuming my professional academic activities and my full involvement in the protection and enhancement of human rights in Nigeria as we strive to build a strong and better Nigerian nation based on the principles of freedom, equality and justice;

    “In compliance with the resolution of the elders and stakeholders of the party in my immediate community in Benue and their further advice that I should accordingly withdraw my membership of the party;

    “And in accordance with the NNPP Constitution 2022 (as amended), I, on this day of 26th August, 2023, withdrew my membership of the NNPP.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, I have communicated the notice of my NNPP membership withdrawal to the party Chairman of the Mbatyu NNPP Ward Executive Committee in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.”

    The former governorship candidate thanked the Ward, Local Government and State party’s executive members for their support.

    “I also wish to express my sincere appreciation to my party members, supporters and all my well-wishers throughout Benue State and Nigeria as a whole for the great support they accorded me during my governorship campaigns.

    “I salute the courage and commitment of all those who believe in me and who made extra efforts in taking a walk with me to the end during this very difficult period.

    “I wholeheartedly assure you that I shall at all times carry you along in my future endeavours,” he said.

    Recall that NNPP had been enmeshed into crisis that led to the suspension of the Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Dr Boniface Aneibonam and the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Agbo Major.

  • Sacked Kano Rep heads for Appeal Court

    Sacked Kano Rep heads for Appeal Court

    Rep. Mukthar Umar-Zakari (NNPP-Kano) has vowed to challenge the judgement of the Election Petition Tribunal which nullified his election over alleged certificate forgery.

    Umar-Zakari, who represented Tarauni Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The tribunal had nullified his election and declared Hafizu Kawu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Feb. 26 poll.

    The three-man panel of the tribunal, led by Justice I.P. Chima, ruled that he was not qualified to contest for the election having forged his primary school certificate.

    But Umar-Zakari denied submitting forged documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for election, saying that the discrepancies in his credentials were due to a change of name, which was made legally.

    “For the avoidance of doubt and putting records straight, I was born Muktar Umar, was enroled in Hausawa Primary School, and graduated as Muktar Umar.

    “So as it is in all my academic qualifications from primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, which are available for verification.

    “However, in my desire to link my two names to the family, I added Zakari to my name and turned Mukthar Umar-Zakari after meeting all the legal and constitutional procedures regarding the change of names.

    “These are: swearing an affidavit; newspaper publication; gazetted the name as required and obtained; deed poll,” he said.

    Umar-Zakari said that the change of name was done long before the 2023 general election.

    “Having obtained all the documents as contained above, I  have without any fear to exercise my right to include Zakari in the name I have sent to Independent National Electoral Commission and fill Form CF001 for contesting the House of Representatives elections.

    “I have the backing of the law and with legal documents obtained in the competent court.

    “Meanwhile, in spite of all these, the court accused me of forgery; this judgement in effect, is a journey to deny me the right to a fair hearing, forgery of what? Is still the question many commentators are still asking,” he said

    While pledging his respect for the rule of law, Umar-Zakari said he would challenge the tribunal verdict at the Appeal Court.

    “As law abiding citizens who believe and respect  the principles of justice and rule of law, I will continue to pursue justice and fair play to reclaim the mandate given to me by the  good people of Tarauni Federal Constituency at the Appeal Court.

    “I do hope the Appeal Court will use the discretion bestowed on them by the constitution of the Federation of Nigeria to review the judgement passed by the honourable justice of the tribunal in the interest of peace, stability, rule of law, and constitutional democracy,” he added.

  • NNPP chairmen kick over dissolution of excos in 7 States

    NNPP chairmen kick over dissolution of excos in 7 States

    Chairmen of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) have rejected the recent dissolution of the party’s executives in seven States by the National Working Committee (NWC).

    The aggrieved chairmen on Thursday described the dissolution as a “gross abuse of power” and “unacceptable”.

    Recall NNPP’s NWC had on July 28, 2023  announced dissolution of the party executive councils in seven states; Enugu, Ekiti, Rivers, Niger, Katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara, over anti-party activities.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Dr Major Agwo, who had announced the dissolution in Abuja, said that a five-man Caretaker Committee had been constituted to run the affairs of the party in the affected states.

    But the chairmen, in a statement in Lagos on Thursday, described the dissolution as ” an injustice” and “sheer irregularity” that contravenes the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.

    The aggrieved chairmen are Messrs Olaposi Oginni (Ogun), Mamman Damisa (Niger), Harry Richard (Rivers), Umar Ahmed (Katsina), Muhammad Sani (Zamfara), Adisa Falade (Lagos), Sedan Adegbola (Oyo), Nuhu Sanya (Kaduna), Dada Olayinka (Ekiti) and Ibrahim Yahyah (Ex-Officio, North West, Sokoto).

    Their statement, which was signed by party chairmen and leaders from Ogun, Niger, Rivers, Katsina, Zamfara, Lagos, Oyo, Kaduna, Sokoto and Ekiti States, said they were totally against the NCW’s action.

    According to them, the NWC is being used to witch hunt loyal party members who have no established record of anti-party activities.

    The statement said: “We wonder why a disciplinary committee would sit without showing those alleged of anti-party activities a copy of the petition written against them?

    “How can the committee come to conclusion without revealing the petitioners and their status in the party?

    “Again, Article 39 Subsection 6 of NNPP constitution State this; Where it is proposed to expel a member of the Executive Committee from membership of the Party, such a proposal shall be submitted to The National Executive Committee.

    “Where then did NWC derived its power to unilaterally expel the Chairman of Ogun State, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday?

    “Isn’t this a gross violation of Article 39(6) of NNPP Constitution? Any Act that violates the party’s constitution is but  null and void.”

    According to it, slandering the hard-earned image of everyone, who for many years, have sacrificed their resources, time, and properties in building the party is detrimental to the growth of the party.

    The statement said that the dissolution was an indication that the NWC was being used to achieve a sinister motive of hijacking the party in continuance of political trading by some powers in the party.

    It also alleged that the NNPP Constitution was amended twice without the knowledge of the party chairmen, who are bonafide members of NEC.

    It said: “As a cover up to these glaring unconstitutional, illegal act being perpetrated by the NWC, the constitution of our great party has been criminally amended, at least, twice without members’ knowledge.

    “This impunity cannot continue. We wish to say that no rent seeker can chase away a landlord in his own house.

    “Those who traded the party should leave willingly before it is too late. They should leave our party in peace. We shall not leave our home.

    “NNPP is a party we laboured with our sweat to build. The structures were put in place by committed individuals and not with the resources of any godfather aiming to tarnish people’s image for his own selfish pursuits.”

    The statement called on the Founder/ Chairman Board of Trustees, Dr Boniface Aniebonam to immediately step into this matter before it degenerates into uncontrollable crisis.

    The statement added, “It is our hope that the BoT Chairman shall within reasonable time invoke Section 12. 5(a) detailing functions of the Board of Trustees by ensuring highest standards of morality in all activities of the party.”

    It urged that the BOT chairman to act as the conscience of the party, with the power to call to order any officer of the party, “whose conduct falls below the norms and return all victimised Executives across the states back to their official capacities.”

    Nevertheless, calls to the NNPP National Publicity Secretary of the party, Dr Major Agwo, for his response on the issues raised by the chairmen yielded no result as he neither picked nor called back as at press time.

  • Kwankwaso ahead of you politically – NNPP tells Ganduje

    Kwankwaso ahead of you politically – NNPP tells Ganduje

    The national leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has told  the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, that its presidential candidate in the February 25 election, Senator Rabiu  Kwankwaso, was not his mate when it comes to politics.

    The National Auditor of the party Ladipo Johnson, who berated the APC members for making a character like Ganduje their national chairman, said the party would not entertain questions relating to comments from Ganduje on their presidential candidate.

    Johnson said the focus of the party was to rebuild it and this would entail the discipline of members.

    Also speaking at the press conference, the NNPP National Chairman, Abba Kawu Ali, said he was surprised that the APC could settle for a man like Ganduje despite his various controversies and that there was no basis to compare Ganduje to Kwankwaso because the latter was miles ahead and better than the former.

    “The party performed very well in the 2023 general election given the fact that from its formation to the election proper was less than one year. Apart from winning seats in both the  national and state assemblies, the party also won the governorship election in Kano State,” he said.

    He added that the party was the third party in the National Assembly after the APC and the PDP and the NWC meeting was called to take a stock of its achievements and where it is supposed to be in the next coming years.

  • Ogun NNPP guber candidate, Oguntoyinbo appeals to Tinubu to increase minimum wage to 200,000

    Ogun NNPP guber candidate, Oguntoyinbo appeals to Tinubu to increase minimum wage to 200,000

    Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo who contested in the last general elections in Ogun State, under the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has appealed to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government to accede to the N200,000 minimum wage for workers across the country.

    Oguntoyinbo noted that this is necessary in view of the present economic reality occasioned by the increment in the prices of goods and services across the country.

    The Ogun born politician made this known while speaking to pressmen on Saturday.

    Recall that the labour unions had proposed N200,000 as the minimum wage before the President.

    Oguntoyinbo, however, appealed to Tinubu to accede to the request.

    The NNPP candidate in the statement lamented that it is worrisome that low-income earners are struggling with harsh economic realities, with about 120 million citizens living in poverty.

    He explained that the best way to reduce the suffering of the workers is to accede to the N200,000 minimum wage request.

    He added that his appeal is based on the present economic reality in the country.

    He said that Tinubu and the governors should find ways to listen and approve the request from the workers.

    “There is a need for President Tinubu and governors to do some calculations and soul searching on the minimum wage to reflect the current realities in the country, by strengthening the take-home home of workers at the end of every month to meet the current market prices of foodstuffs and other essential utilities.

    “All elected leaders should seize the opportunity of being elected among millions of citizens in the country to make a difference in the lives of people, by creating an enabling environment for Nigerians irrespective of their income to meet their comfortability.

    “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and 36 state governors to make the welfare of workers and ordinary citizens a priority by adhering to the 200 thousand naira minimum wage rather than increasing their own pay.”

  • NNPP voids suspension of Imo chairman

    NNPP voids suspension of Imo chairman

    The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has voided the suspension of its Imo chairman, Chief Charles Duruimo by the local government chairmen of the party.

    The NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Dr Agbo Major stated this at a news conference in Abuja.
    Major said that the decision was taken by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

    “Recently, there was a leadership disagreement in the Imo Chapter of our great party in which the State Chairman, Duruimo was purportedly suspended by aggrieved officers in the state over alleged anti-party activities.

    “Duruimo dismissed his removal, stating that his leadership had earlier suspended the officers and members involved in the plot to sack him.

    “The national leadership of the party led by Alhaji Abba Kawu-Ali has stepped into the matter with a view to amicably resolving it in the interest of the party and the good people of Imo who desired a new and better Nigeria on the platform of NNPP.

    “Accordingly, the National Working Committee (NWC) directs that status quo should be maintained in the Imo State Chapter Executive led by Chief Charles Duruimo,” he said.

    Major added:“All actions taken by the two sides in the leadership disagreement are null and void, and of no effect in running the affairs of the party in Imo.” he said.

    He said that the affected officers of the party did not explore the appropriate channel of communication and procedure in handling the dispute in line with the clear provisions of NNPP’s constitution.

    He added that in the next few days, the state executive would be invited to Abuja to formally resolve the crisis.

    He said that the need for peace, unity, teamwork and synergy in running the affairs of the party in Imo could not be over emphasised as itbprepared for the November 2023 governorship election.

    “NNPP is poised to win Imo governorship poll and will not allow an intra party squabble to distract it from winning the state, to expand its frontiers in the nation’s democratic space.

    “Having fielded credible, competent and resourceful candidates in Kogi and Bayelsa, NNPP is equally resolute in winning the two states,” he said.

    Major called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a level playing field to all political parties and their candidates in the upcoming poll and ensure that the people’s mandate was respected.

    He advised INEC to test run its Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) to avoid the hitches associated with past elections.

    “Every vote matters and should be counted and count in the overall results. This is the only way to consolidate the nation’s frail democracy and reaffirms Nigerians’ confidence in the electoral process,” he added.

    He said that with an action governor, two distinguished senators, 20 lawmakers at House of Representatives and several States Houses of Assembly, NNPP was set to bolster the nation’s constitutional rule as the fastest growing party.

    Major said that the NNPP wasdetermined to make Nigeria a land of justice, freedom and equal opportunities where all citizens were at liberty to aspire to achieve their lifetime goals and ambitions; a land to live in peace, prosperity and happiness.

  • Ganduje presents transition report to successor

    Ganduje presents transition report to successor

    G ov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has presented the 2023 transition report to his successor, the governor-elect, Malam Abba Yusuf.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kano by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor-elect, Alhaji Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa.

    During a short meeting at the Kano Government House Ante Chamber Hall, Ganduje, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, reiterated has commitment at ensuring a seamless transition on May 29.

    He urged the incoming administration to study the transition report critically and make feedback where necessary.

    Ganduje appreciated the members of the outgoing government transition committee for producing three volumes of the report that covered all sectors of the state.

    In his remarks, the governor-elect, also represented by the Chairman, NNPP Gubernatorial Transition Committee, Dr. Baffa Bichi, assured that his committee would report to the incoming governor and revert with any observation, if any.

    “At this time, we have just 105 hours to formal handover and takeover of government in Kano state, as such we are committed to a hitch-free transition in the interest of Kano and its people,” Bichi said.

    He said that details of the inauguration would be made public after some certain agreements are reached between the outgoing and incoming administrations.

  • Rerun election: Appeal Court dismisses NNPP’s suit against Doguwa

    Rerun election: Appeal Court dismisses NNPP’s suit against Doguwa

    The Court of Appeal in Kano on Friday struck out an appeal filed by the New Nigeria People’s Party and its candidate Salisu Yushau, against the re-election of Alhassan Doguwa of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Doguwa represents Doguwa/Tudun-wada Federal Constituency.

    A three-member panel headed by Justice Ita George-Mbaba, in a unanimous judgment, also struck out the suit for lack of jurisdiction and affirmed the decision of Tribunal.

    The court upheld the decision of the National and State House of Assembly Election Tribunal.

    George-Mbaba also dismissed the appellants’  prayer to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)from issuance of Certificate of Return to Doguwa and equally withdraw the said Certificate it already issued to him.

    The Judge also ordered the appellants to pay the respondents the sum of  N200,000 as cost for filing frivolous petition.

    The national and state assembly elections petitions tribunal had, on April 7, struck out a petition filed by NNPP seeking to restrain INEC from conducting supplementary polls in Tudun Wada/Doguwa Federal constituency in the state.

    The appellants in their appeal are seeking the court to set aside the tribunal’s decision which claimed lack of jurisdiction to stop INEC from conducting the supplementary election.

    The appellant in their application are also seeking the court to set aside the April 15 re-run election that declared Mr Doguwa as the winner, member representing Tudun Wada/ Doguwa Federal constituency.

    The respondents in the suit are: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Alhassan Doguwa, member representing Tudun Wada/ Doguwa Federal constituency Kano and APC.

    Earlier, Counsel to the appellants, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, argued that Section 4(6) of the Electoral Act 2022 empowers that any party can challenge the decision of INEC, adding that the Appeal was sequence to the provision of Electoral Act.

    He urged the court to allow the appeal and strike out the respondents’ preliminary objection.

    Counsel to the first respondent, Idris Yakubu, urged the court to dismiss the suit.

    Counsel to the second and third respondents, Nureini Jimoh and Abdul Adamu-Fagge, urged the court to strike out the main suit at the tribunal and dismiss the appeal with a cost.

  • Gov Ganduje begs for forgiveness as 2-term tenure ends

    Gov Ganduje begs for forgiveness as 2-term tenure ends

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has begged for forgiveness from those he might have offended in the course of governing the State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ganduje spoke at a Ramadan lecture series at Al Furqan Juma’at Mosque located at Nasarawa GRA, Kano.

    The governor said he has forgiven those who wrong him and they should reciprocate same by forgiving him.

    “I’ve forgiven anyone who at one time disparaged my person and my character for whatever reasons, and on my part, I equally beg or seek for your forgiveness for all that I’ve done wrong to you,” Ganduje said.

    He said the inspiration was drawn from the position of Islam, adding that “as espoused by the leader of this Mosque, forgiveness occupies a prime spot in our religion”.

    “My tenure as governor of Kano state has come to an end, and this is a farewell greeting. I wish you all the best.

    “For those who we have wronged, forgive us, on my part I’ve forgiven those who wronged me no matter the weight of the offence.

    TNG reports Ganduje’s two-term tenure of eight years as the chief helmsman of  Nigeria’s most populous state tick to an end on May 29, 2023.

    He is expected to hand over reign of power to the opposition New Nigeria People’s Party’s governor-elect, Abba Kabiru.

  • Supplementary: NNPP HoR candidate floors APC 3rd term lawmaker

    Supplementary: NNPP HoR candidate floors APC 3rd term lawmaker

    The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, has declared Barrister MB. Shehu l, Candidate of New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), winner of Fagge federal constituency of Kano state in the House of Representatives.

    Shehu unseat the incumbent House of Rep member of the constituency, Aminu Sulaiman Goro a third timer of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who is serving his 3rd term in the lower legislative chamber.

    Announcing the results, the Returning Officer, Professor Ibrahim Tajo Suraj, said MB Shehu polled 19,024 votes of the total votes cast, followed by the candidate of the Labour Party, Shuaibu Abubakar who polled 12,789 votes.

    While Aminu Sulaiman Goro of APC came third with 8,669 votes.

    “That Barrister MB. Shehu of the NNPP, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes is declared winner of the election,” Prof. Suraj announced.

    Earlier, the NNPP led with 609 votes in the supplementary election, while APC came second with 268 votes, followed by LP with 60 votes.

    However, when the result was summed up with the previous February 25th election, the NNPP came first followed by LP and APC as second and third.

    See the full results below:

    RAs: 06
    PUs: 19

    Total Reg. Votes – 274, 031
    Total Accredited Votes – 50, 852

    APC – 8, 662
    NNPP – 19, 024
    PDP – 6, 548
    LP – 12, 789

    Total Valid Votes – 47, 891
    Rejected votes – 1, 005
    Total Votes Cast – 48, 896