EX-NNPP National Chairman, Ahmed Alkali, Resigns

•Says there seems to be no end to crisis plaguing party 

•Our party is intact, declares NWC

Juliet Akoje in Abuja

Former National Chairman of of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Professor Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali, has announced the withdrawal of his membership from the party.

According to a statement personally signed, Alkali recalled that “on March 31st 2023, I offered my letter to step aside as National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NNPP), my prayer and hope then was that this was an opportunity for the party to move ahead and move fast to consolidate on the indisputable gains made so far during the last 2023 general election and prepare for the forthcoming elections that lie ahead.

“Unfortunately, in the last few weeks, the party has slipped deeper and deeper into avoidable crises and conflicts that have led to several cases of suspension and counter-suspension of key leaders of the party, acrimonious press war, accusations and counter-accusations, which regrettably has led to the factionalisation of the party.

“After the historic merger of the party in March 2022, together with other astute, highly dedicated, hardworking and loyal members of the party, we put in place a robust political structure nationwide.

“The National Working Committee (NWC) forged cohesion among our members and created a formidable national platform that fielded candidates for all elective offices from the State Houses of Assembly to  National Assembly,  Governorship and the Presidency. I am proud to be part of that Dream Team.

“It is on record that within a period of less than one year and despite the limited time corridor from the merger to the general election, the party won elections in the governorship, national assembly and state houses of assembly seats.

“However, I voluntarily stepped aside as the National Chairman of the NNPP shortly after the general election this year to give room for new hands and fresh ideas in order to advance the party forward.

“As far I was concerned, I never believed in the culture of sit tight in leadership positions nor that I was indispensable. The New Nigeria we all aspire to achieve must be built on the solid foundation of dedication, hardwork, resilience and personal sacrifice.

“The recent disturbing developments in the NNPP with the emergence of factions working against each other is really unfortunate  and counter-productive. Sadly, there appears to be no end in sight in this needless war of attrition.

“It seems that there’s an unwritten code by the warring factions not to allow elders of the party to mediate to finding a lasting solution to the crises. This is indeed regrettable and unhealthy for the growth and survival of any political party, especially an emerging political party such as the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

“My decision is in accordance with the NNPP Constitution, and having consulted widely, I hereby announce the withdrawal of my membership of the NNPP forthwith, and I pray and wish the party the best in her future endeavours. I wish to call on all my friends,  associates and supporters to remain calm and resolute while awaiting communications on future developments and our next direction.”

Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has reiterated that the party was intact, dismissing reports that it had been factionalised, just as it said those who had been suspended from the party did not have the constitutional powers to expel the party’s candidate for the February 25th Presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Briefing the press yesterday in Abuja, the acting National chairman of NNPP, Mallam Abba Kawu Ali, who described those saying they had suspended Kwankwaso as empty barons, said the story was unfortunate and rubbish.

“We wish to reiterate that our NWC is intact, except the former National Publicity Secretary alongside with his cohorts, who have been expelled by a properly constituted National Executive Committee (NEC).

“All our State Chairmen (37) and other MEMBERS of the NEC. The NNPP, since the dissolution of the Board of Trustees (BOT) in 2022 publicly in the presence of INEC and the Media, has not constituted a new Board. The BOT is not what one person can sit in one corner to constitute.”

In a speech read by the National Auditor and Chairman, Disciplinary Committee of the party, Oladipo Johnson, on behalf of the acting national chairman, the party said it would not waste its time, answering the question relating to the expulsion of the former Kano State governor.

The speech read in part: “We wish to reiterate that our NWC is intact, except the former National Publicity Secretary alongside with his cohorts, who have been expelled by a properly constituted National Executive Committee (NEC).

“All our State Chairmen (37) and other MEMBERS of the NEC. The NNPP, since the dissolution of the Board of Trustees (BOT) in 2022 publicly in the presence of INEC and the Media, has not constituted a new Board. The BOT is not what one person can sit in one corner to constitute.

“Finally, yes, we are aware that they are asking spurious questions about the Party. The question is, ‘in what capacity’? As non-members, at least for now, they lack the locus to ask any question about the party. Once you are suspended or expelled, you forfeit all your rights and privileges.”