The founder of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, has expressed shock at the Appeal Court’s decision on Friday to sack the Kano State governor, Abba Yusuf. Aniebonam emphasized that only the NNPP has the authority to determine its members, not the judiciary.
In a statement on Saturday, he said, “I do know that it is only the NNPP and its members that can determine who is a member of the party. I also know that a party and its members can bring into the party, and grant such a person a waiver to go into election and represent the party in an election.”
Aniebonam argued that the party could sponsor any candidate by granting them a waiver to contest elections on its platform. He maintained that no external entity has the right to challenge a candidate’s NNPP membership except rival aspirants who contested the nomination.
While expressing hope for justice at the Supreme Court, the NNPP founder encouraged party members and residents of Kano to remain steadfast amid the legal challenge.
“Our hope is alive ahead of the Supreme Court judgment in due time. I hereby encourage all members of our great party and indeed the indigenes of Kano, in particular, to keep faith with the final decision of God under these avoidable circumstances,” he stated.
On Friday, the Appeal Court upheld an earlier ruling that nullified Yusuf’s victory, citing that he was not an NNPP member when the election occurred. The court declared the APC’s Nasiru Gawuna as the duly elected governor. Yusuf, who assumed office in May after a run-off poll victory, now faces an uncertain future following this latest court setback. The NNPP is expected to appeal the judgment at the Supreme Court.