The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has formally dissociated itself from former presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, following his claim that he facilitated a meeting between Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, and certain Supreme Court justices in 2019.

Clarifying its position at the weekend, the party stated that Kwankwaso could not have acted on behalf of the NNPP at the time of the alleged meeting, as he was not a member of the party in 2019.

In a statement signed by the NNPP’s National Secretary, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday, the party rejected any attempt to link it to the controversy and called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to remove the NNPP’s name from any petition submitted to the Inspector-General of Police on the matter.

“We are setting the record straight. Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was not a member of the NNPP in 2019 when he allegedly took Governor Abba Yusuf to see some Supreme Court judges,” the statement said.

The party explained that Kwankwaso only joined the NNPP shortly before the 2023 general elections, alongside political figures such as Buba Galadima, Professor Alkali, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, Professor Hanga, and Governor Abba Yusuf.

The NNPP also dismissed claims that Kwankwaso was involved in the formation of the party, stressing that he was never among its founders.

“Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was never a founding member of the NNPP. The party was founded by Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam,” the statement clarified.

The party further accused Kwankwaso of attempting to take over its structure after joining, alleging that he unilaterally altered the party’s logo and colours to reflect his Kwankwasiyya political movement without approval from the founder or the Board of Trustees.

“It is unfortunate that Senator Kwankwaso attempted to convert the intellectual property of the NNPP for personal political use,” the statement added.

Recalling internal disputes, the NNPP noted that a faction loyal to Kwankwaso had challenged the legitimacy of a party convention that produced Dr Agbo Gilbert Major as National Chairman and Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday as National Secretary. The party said the suit was dismissed by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.

Reiterating its stance, the NNPP confirmed that Kwankwaso is no longer a member of the party, having been expelled shortly after the 2023 general elections for alleged gross misconduct.

“The National Working Committee hereby reaffirms that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is no longer a member of the NNPP. He was expelled shortly after the 2023 elections for gross misconduct,” the statement said, adding that related matters are currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.

The party reaffirmed its recognised leadership structure, listing Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam as Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr Agbo Gilbert Major as National Chairman, and Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday as National Secretary.

“Senator Kwankwaso has long been expelled from the NNPP and should no longer be referred to as the National Leader of the party,” the statement concluded.