The founder of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Boniface Aniebonam, has expressed shock and disappointment over the Appeal Court ruling that sacked Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State.
In a statement released on Saturday, Aniebonam asserted that the party has the sole authority to determine its membership and who can represent it in elections. He added that no individual outside the party has the right to challenge the membership of a candidate.
“Again a rude shock to me hearing the verdict of the appeal court in Abuja against the governor of Kano state, Abba Yusuf of NNPP.”
“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 an election and represent the party in an election.
“I also know and believe that it is only someone who contested nomination under NNPP that can challenge the membership of the party in an election.
“To the contrary, no other person has the right to raise objection,” Aniebonam said in a statement on Saturday,” Daily Trust quoted the NNPP founder as saying.
“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.”
Aniebonam expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will overturn the Appeal Court’s decision and reinstate Governor Yusuf. He urged party members and Kano residents to remain steadfast in their support for the NNPP and trust in the final outcome.
“Our hope is alive ahead the Supreme Court judgment in due time.” Aniebonam added.
The Appeal Court’s ruling, which upheld the decision of the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, declared Nasiru Gawuna of the APC the winner of the March 18, 2023, governorship election. The court found that Governor Yusuf was not a legitimate NNPP member at the time of the election.
