A group from the New Nigeria Peoples Party has taken the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and 13 others to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for an alleged misuse of over N2bn.
The group, in a letter from its National Secretary, Oginni Olaposi, claimed that the party’s funds were mismanaged.
Olaposi, in the letter to the EFCC chairman, which was seen by our correspondent on Sunday, stated that about N2.5bn from the sales of nomination forms, membership fees, and donations were not properly accounted for by the expelled party leadership.
The party secretary expressed concern that the alleged misuse resulted in the non-payment of allowances to party agents who participated in the 2023 general elections nationwide.
He urged the EFCC boss to look into the party's account from March 2022 onwards.
The letter said, “The situation became evident when payments due to polling agents during the elections were withheld, causing frustration among NNPP members nationwide, and the agents' allowances for the 2023 elections are still outstanding.”
It also mentioned that all NNPP’s polling agents are still requesting their money and threatening to cause trouble if not paid.
“Mr. Chairman, you might be surprised to learn that to this day, the money from the sales of nomination forms, membership fees, and donations from supporters of the party has not been properly accounted for.
“Realizing that those seeking justice must have clean hands, we are concerned that a party with potential to lead a new Nigeria must ensure that it begins by addressing any corruption or mismanagement of funds within its ranks.
“Based on the above allegations, we hereby ask you to investigate the New Nigeria People’s Party's account from March 2022 till now,” the letter added.
In response during a phone conversation, the spokesperson of Kwankwaso Presidential Campaign Council, Ladipo Johnson, stated that the party is not divided and that someone who is not a member of the party cannot question its financial management.
While dismissing the group as mere distractions, Johnson noted that the party is unfazed by the petition against Kwankwaso regarding the alleged misuse of funds.
He went on to say, “We do not have a faction. These individuals are not a faction of the party; they can submit petitions wherever they want, they are no longer members of the party. They can keep writing unfounded petitions and accusations.
“Were they present when N2bn was raised? Did they contribute N2bn ? Talk is easy.
“What they should be asked is the outcome of about four to five cases taken to court. What has the court decided? Someone who is outside an organization, expelled, or not a member of the organization cannot ask for an investigation into such an organization.”
Johnson also remarked, “They can go to EFCC, Police and do whatever they want. They are meddling intruders with no standing.
“They can keep trying to damage Senator Kwankwaso's reputation or anyone else they want. It's just their frustration. We have no problem, they should go and figure out how to solve their own problems .”
“I have no comment about them; they are a distraction, they want to become a pest, but we will not let them distract us.”
