A faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has lodged a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and 13 others, alleging the misappropriation of over N2 billion.
The petition, presented by the faction’s National Secretary, Oginni Olaposi, accuses the expelled leadership of the party of financial misconduct, claiming that approximately N2.5 billion from various sources, including sales of nomination forms and membership fees, remains unaccounted for.
Olaposi lamented the consequences of the alleged mismanagement, highlighting the failure to compensate party agents who participated in the 2023 general elections nationwide. He urged the EFCC to launch a thorough investigation into the party’s finances from March 2022 to the present.
“The whole thing became obvious when payments due to polling agents during the elections were denied,” stated Olaposi. “NNPP’s members across the country became frustrated, and till today, the agents’ allowance for the 2023 general elections remained unpaid.”
The petition underscores the faction’s demand for accountability within the party, stressing the importance of transparency and integrity in political organizations aspiring to govern Nigeria.
Responding to the allegations, Ladipo Johnson, spokesman of the Kwankwaso Presidential Campaign Council, dismissed the faction’s claims, asserting that they do not represent a legitimate faction of the party.
“We don’t have a faction. These people are not a faction of the party; they can petition anywhere they want to petition; they are no longer members of the party,” Johnson asserted.
Johnson labeled the faction as “meddlesome interlopers” and dismissed their accusations as baseless attempts to discredit Kwankwaso and his campaign.
He affirmed the party’s commitment to addressing internal challenges and maintaining its focus on its objectives.
Despite the faction’s petition, the Kwankwaso campaign remains steadfast, undeterred by what they perceive as distractions. Johnson reiterated the party’s stance, emphasizing that the faction’s allegations hold no weight and do not warrant further consideration