By Musa Tanimu Nasidi
Lokoja – The Kogi State branch of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) has suspended the state Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Angulu Hukuma and the Secretary, Malam Abubakar Suleiman over alleged misappropriation of funds and non-performance.
The suspension was contained in a letter signed by Comrade Umar Muhammed Murtala, State Auditor on behalf Of other members of the party’s state executives
However, only officials from 14 out of the 21 local government executives of the party took the decision.
A copy of the letter was sighted by this reporter on Tuesday in Lokoja
In the letter, the executives alleged that Anugu’s activities in recent time were against the provisions of the party’s constitution , while Suleiman, the secretary, was suspended, for being a serving civil servant with National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA) Abuja.
“This is to notify the National chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) of the
immediate suspension of the Kogi State chairman of the party, Honourable Abdullahi Angulu and
the party state secretary Mallam Abubakar Sulieman.
“The Kogi State Executive Council (SEC) of the party after due consultations across the 21 local Government Areas of the state took the decision in the overall interest of the party.
” The SEC had to act swiftly and rescue the party from immediate collapse due to the non-progressive activities of the chairman and the secretary of the party.
“The suspension of the
state party chairman became unavoidable because of two major reasons;
(A) Gross misappropriation of party funds:The chairman of the party could not account for
all the funds coming and going out of the party.
“These include funds released for the formation of structure across the 21 local Government Areas of the state estimated to be N1.5 million, fund released for the renting of state party secretariat , N2 ,state administrative charges estimated to be N2.7 million, funds released during the
presidential primary estimated to be N3.3 million naira, and other funds totalling N9.5
million Naira could not be accounted for by the state chairman.
“He succeeded in misappropriating the said funds because he vehemently rejected all efforts by the state Executives to open an account in the name of the party, therefore using his personal
account for the party.
” (B) Anti party activities; it is public knowledge that the Kogi state chairman of the NNPP is negotiating with opposition parties in the state against the interest and progress of
the NNPP.
” It will be a great abnormality to allow an individual scuttle the efforts of the entire Kogi NNPP that is aimed at rebirthing the Nigerian state for the benefits of everyone.
” The state secretary of the party, Mallam Abubakar Sulieman is suspended because he is a
federal civil servant working with National Space Research And Development Agency (NASRDA)
Abuja, as a result of which he could not effectively perform his duties and obligations to the
party, thereby creating vacuum in the party.
” Based on the above verifiable reasons that culminated in the suspension of the chairman and secretary, the state SEC of the NNPP in order to maintain the smooth running of the party has
directed the organizing secretary , Honourable Nuhu Isiaka as the third ranking officer of the
NNPP in the state by hierarchy to assume the position of acting state chairman.
” Mr Shittu is also directed to serve as the acting secretary of the party until normalcy is restored.
” The Suspended chairman and secretary are by this notice directed to in the next 48 hours hand
over all party materials in their possession to the acting chairman and secretary respectively.
” Attached are the signatories to the suspension of the state chairman and secretary respectively” the statement concluded.
Comrade Umar Muhammed Murtala, State Auditor of the party signed the letter.
However, the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Audu Dan Kano, said the party had internal mechanism if resolving crisis.
He insisted that there is no crisis in the party, stressing that the situation in the party is normal .
Efforts to reach the suspended Chairman on the telephone were unsuccessful as his telephone line was not going through. (vitalnewsngr.com )
