By Milcah Tanimu
In a significant development in the ongoing crisis within the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Justice Usman Mallam Na’abba of the Kano State High Court ruled on Tuesday to invalidate the suspension of Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former Governor of Kano State and a presidential candidate for NNPP in the 2023 elections. Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the founding National Chairman of NNPP, and Major Agbo, the National Publicity Secretary, along with 16 others, were responsible for Kwankwaso’s suspension.
Justice Na’abba’s ruling not only lifted the suspension but also prohibited those involved from assuming the roles of national officers or leaders of the party while the case is pending. Additionally, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was instructed not to acknowledge the purported suspension until the matter is fully resolved.
The suspension of Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, occurred on August 29, 2023. The NNPP chieftains, Aniebonam and Agbo, accused him of engaging in activities with politicians from other parties and alleged financial misconduct, including mismanagement of public funds.
The court’s decision has temporarily restrained Aniebonam, Agbo, and the other respondents from representing themselves as party officials. The case is set for a hearing on October 5, 2023.
Justice Na’abba stated, “It is, hereby, ordered as follows: An order of interim injunction is, hereby, granted, restraining the respondents by themselves, their agents, cronies, and anyone acting through them from representing themselves, issuing press releases, or giving interviews as national officers, leaders, or members of the applicant (NNPP), pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
Furthermore, the court issued an interim injunction to overturn Kwankwaso’s purported suspension from the party and instructed INEC not to recognize this suspension until the substantive motion on notice is heard and determined.
