The crisis rocking the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has taken a worse turn as a faction of the party has dragged its presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and 13 others to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged misappropriation of N2.5billion.

The faction in a petition by its factional National Secretary, Oginni Olaposi alleged that there was mismanagement and embezzlement of public funds under the control and leadership of Kwankwaso.

Olaposi in the petition addressed to the EFCC Chairman, a copy of which was obtained by on Sunday, alleged that an estimated sum of N2.5bn made from the sale of nomination forms, membership subscription fees, and donations were not accounted for.

Oginni lamented that the alleged misappropriation led to the non-payment of allowance to party agents who participated in the 2023 general elections.

He urged the EFCC boss to investigate the account of the party from March 2022 till date.

He added that several attempts made by the Board of Trustees to get “Kwankwaso and his cohorts to provide details of what happened to party funds were rebuffed and resisted.

The petition reads partly, “As Events unfold, we realise that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was not interested in the Presidential election rather than using the platform to corruptly enrich himself monetarily.

“The whole thing became obvious when payments due to polling agents during the elections were denied, NNPP’s members across the country became frustrated and till today the agent’s allowance for 2023 general elections remained unpaid.

“Mr. Chairman sir, you may be surprised to know that till today all the money from the sale of nomination forms, membership subscription fees and donations made by donors and friends of the party are yet to be accounted for.

“Recognising the fact that anyone coming to equity must come with clean hands, it is our concern that a party with the potentiality of forming a government of a new Nigeria must make sure that charity begins at home by purging ourselves of every tendency of corruption and mismanagement of funds.

“On the aforementioned allegations, we hereby request that you investigate the account of New Nigeria People’s Party starting from March 2022 till date.

“The mismanagement and inherent corruption under the watch of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Abba Kawu, Dipo Olayokun and elder Buba Galadima and others is however estimated to the sum of 2.5billion Naira in the Party’s United Bank of Africa UBA) Account with account name – New Nigeria Peoples Party and account number ‘ 1024986303,” it said.

But, reacting to the allegations, the spokesman of Kwankwaso Presidential Campaign Council, Ladipo Johnson insisted that the party was not factionalised.

While describing those behind the petition as mere distractors, Johnson said the party is unperturbed by the petition written against Kwankwaso as regards the alleged misappropriation.

He said, “We don’t have a faction. These people are not a faction of the party, they can petition anywhere they want to petition; they are no longer members of the party. They can continue to write spurious petitions and allegations.

“They can go to EFCC, Police and do whatever they want to do. They are meddlesome interlopers who do not have a leg to stand.

“They can continue to try to disparage the reputation of Senator Kwankwaso or anyone they choose. It is just their frustration. We have no problem, they should go and find out how to solve their own problems,” he added. (New Telegraph)

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