***says party’s original certificate still in his custody
The Founder of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, has blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission for taking part in the change of the NNPP logo and amendment of the constitution.
Aniebonam also accused the National Leader of the NNPP, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and his camp of contempt of the court order by holding a national convention and coercing INEC officials to take part in the event.
He expressed his bitterness at an interactive session with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to him, many concerned Nigerians and stakeholders had blamed him for welcoming Kwankwaso and his loyalists into the party however he pointed out that all he ever wanted was to ensure they create a platform that would result in a better Nigeria.
He, however, warned that the recent amendment of the constitution and change in logo, colour and flag are futile as the original certificate that was used to register the party is still in his custody
“I founded this party in 2001 with the aim of creating a space and choice for ordinary Nigerians. But it is no longer representing its name. All I wanted was a better Nigeria which Kwankwaso and the rest have frustrated. I am the founder and the chairman of the board of trustees of the party.
“It is also written in the constitution that I am a life member of the board. That means you cannot wake up tomorrow and say you have sacked me.
“But this Kwankwaso and his unemployed characters seem to be going about saying they have sacked the founder. Don’t you think something is wrong with them? Secondly, their penchant for disobeying the law and disrespecting court orders is unbelievable.
“You don’t have to be a lawyer to know that once a matter is before the court, everybody must remain in its original position pending the determination of the suit.
“Why are we then hearing that Kwankwaso has held a convention when the matter is in court? Yet, he and INEC were duly served. Why should INEC also attend that particular convention? That is nonsense. Again, why should INEC go to the extent of also approving the change in logo, flag and colour of the party?
“Here is the question: If you go to a bank to open a company account, won’t you be asked for relevant documents and the CAC certificate? The NNPP registration certificate is still in my possession. As of the time INEC approved the amending of the constitution and changing of logo, didn’t it request the original certificate? What exactly is wrong with INEC? All I can say is that the chairman of INEC should improve on his supervision in the commission he is managing,” he stated.
He said there are no faction on the party but internal crises.