The South West leader of the New Nigerian People’s Party, NNPP, Alhaji Abdul-Rasheed Adebisi Adeyemi Olopoeyan, has explained that former Kano state governor, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is trying to destabilize the party in Oyo due to his recent relationship with Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde.
He said Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiya group chose to fight him and Oyo NNPP because he and his state governor, Seyi Makinde are back together like before immediately after the election.
“Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso is not happy because myself and Governor Seyi Makinde have continued our good relationship. I wonder why my recent association with my governor is giving him and his Kwankwasiya a headache, telling people that I am engaging in anti-party activities, whereas, he is the master of the game, with evidence. Kwankwaso engaged in anti-party activities before, during, and after the 2023 general election, that is why he was expelled from the party last year. He is retaining his membership with a court order, but with that, he continues to liaise with his stooges in Abuja to carry out illegal and unconstitutional suspension, expulsion, and changing of the party logo without the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), and founder of the party, Boniface Aniebonam’s knowledge.
“He is trying to fight me and my followers because of Governor Makinde; he has forgotten that Seyi Makinde is my state governor, a Yoruba man, a brother and friend of almost 20 years, so I would choose him ( Kwankwaso ) ahead of Seyi? No way,” Olopoeyan stated
Olopoeyan also cautioned Kwankwaso and the NWC to discontinue their self-centered and frivolous activities for the progress of the party, saying there was no way the former Kano governor could stop his friendship with Governor Seyi Makinde.
The Ibadan-based politician, in reaction to his suspension announced by the NWC of the party last Tuesday, noted that the party has some jesters within it.
It will be recalled that the NWC loyal to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso had earlier suspended Olopoeyan; Oyo state party chairperson, Mrs. Ayobami Idowu Adekunle, Women leader, Ms Riike Olaniran; PRO Mr. Demola Oke, and others, the NWC citing the need to reposition the party, amongst other things, as the reason for doing so.
Olopoeyan said aside that the suspension was null and void; adding that the NNPP has no official party executives at the national as there are two ongoing cases instigated against the last-held convention of the party.
Olopoeyan advised all party leaders and members across the states to disregard all activities and decisions emanating from the national headquarters of the party in Abuja as there are litigations against the Congress that produced the acclaimed NWC members.
“Some people are there in Abuja doing comedy on behalf of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; they neither know what they are doing nor understand the party constitution. These people can’t just be sitting in Abuja announcing the suspension, the expulsion of party members as well as dissolution of party executive at any given opportunity; they know nothing except all this.
“The alleged NWC of NNPP in Abuja never called a meeting to discharge their duty as opposition or be a watchdog on the ruling party; they only meet to suspend, expel, and dissolve executives. There are several national interest issues, the dollar rising, increase in fuel prices, and unemployment. Even Edo and Ondo’s coming elections are there to advise the federal government; they left all that and decided to fuel the crisis within the party.
“The NNPP Kwankwasiya members in Abuja failed to understand that there is no official or recognized national executive, as there are court cases initiated against the party’s decision to hold a convention and the cases are still ongoing before the party went ahead to hold the convention.
“They know there are court cases, yet they are still carrying out illegal decisions and activities; all these are embarrassing to the party. Instead of focusing on party unity and reconciliation and putting their energy together to be a formidable opposition, all they are good at is disorganizing the party to suit the interest of the Kwankwasiya leader.” Olopoeyan said.
