The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has attempted to change the party’s logo and constitution as a fresh development in the party’s crisis.
Ladipo Johnson, the NNPP’s National Auditor, made this known in a Punch interview.
This occurs just days after Kwankwaso was ousted from the party by the Major Agbo-led faction for allegedly misusing party campaign funds and engaging in anti-party actions.
Abdulrasaq stated that Kwankwaso was expelled immediately after failing to show up before the disciplinary panel to defend himself against the claims made against him.
Disaffection within the party after the removal of the former governor of Kano led to blame-trading among leaders of the opposition camps.
A few days after the drama, the Kwankwaso camp quietly changed the NNPP’s logo and constitution, ostensibly to loosen Dr. Boniface Aniebonam’s control.
The national auditor denied the action was taken in response to the establishment of a faction inside the NNPP, despite Johnson, the chairman of the disciplinary committee that expelled some factional party members a few weeks ago, having confirmed the development.
“No, it has nothing to do with any faction. It was something we already discussed at the NEC. Unlike them (Agbo faction), we are serious people. But we haven’t changed the logo yet. We are planning to throw it out there for our members to compete and come up with ideas,” he said.
Reacting, acting National Chairman of the faction, Major Agbo, said they were aware of the subtle move which they believed was directed at removing the immunity of the founder.
He said, “Obviously, the proposed amendment to the constitution and changing of logo they are talking about was deliberate. That was because they discovered suddenly that the man they are after (the founder) has immunity by the provision of that constitution. That’s why they are in a hurry to amend it.”