Mercy JohnsonThe New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)’s National Working Committee (NWC) has suspended a founding member of the party, Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam, and its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Agbo Major.
The NNPP NWC said the suspension of Aniebonam is pending the outcome of the Disciplinary Committee’s investigation.
At a press conference organised by the NNPP NWC, the acting National Chairman, Mallam Abba Kawu Alli, and the National Auditor, Oladipo Johnson stated that the suspension stemmed from the unruly conduct of the party’s founding member, who purportedly treated the political platform as his personal estate.
Johnson further explained how recent events concerning the repositioning of the party led to the expulsion of two members of the party, the suspension of about seven former state chairmen of the party, and the dissolution of the executive committees of nine state chapters of the party.
Speaking on the suspension of Dr Boniface and Dr Agbo, he said, “Unfortunately, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, one of the founders of our party has arrogated to himself the right to solely reverse decisions of the National Working Committee, even those decisions ratified and adopted by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party! This is a situation that, as a responsible National Working Committee, we cannot permit 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.”
Johnson revealed that the newly suspended members were involved in the process of intentionally factionalising the party, cooperating with some of the earlier suspended members. He stressed that the suspended members have access in the first instance to the disciplinary committee, which will invite them for fair hearing, and also an appeal procedure, as stated in their 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 affirmed.
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