From John Adams, Minna
A major crisis has rocked the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Niger State following the resignation of the party’s deputy governorship candidate for the 2023 election in the state, Mr. John Paul Bahago, from his position.
Bahago, a former member, Niger State House of Assembly, until his resignation was the running mate to Alhaji Yahaya Ibrahim Mohammed (Sokodeke), the governorship candidate of the party in the state.
Mr. John Paul, in a letter dated 14th December, 2022 titled “Resignation As A Member Of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP),” and addressed to the ward, local government, state and national chairman of the party, said he had also resigned from the party.
The resignation letter, which was made available to Sunday Sun read in part: “I write to resign my position as a candidate of Deputy Governor to Alhaji Yahaya Ibrahim Mohammed on the platform of New Nigeria People’s Party and also resigned as a member of NNPP.”
Speaking to our correspondent on why he decided to quit his position and dump the party, Paul accused the governorship candidate of selling out, saying that his former boss had sold the party to one of the two major political parties in the state.
He disclosed that since he was made the running mate to Yahaya Ibrahim, both of them had not sat down to strategise ahead of the governorship election. Paul said he took that as an indication that he was working to undermine the chances of the party in the state.
His words: “Since I was picked as his running mate, he has not officially unveiled me before the public and party supporters. I was only unveiled on the social media and my name submitted to the INEC that is all. He is running away from his responsibilities and this is not good for the party.”
He accused the governorship candidate of running the affairs of the party from Abuja where has relocated since he was elected as the party’s candidate, pointing out that “there is nothing on the ground to suggest that we are prepared for the election next year and I don’t want to be part of such disappointment.
“How can you be contesting election in Niger State and be residing in Abuja? Who are you consulting with in Abuja when the people that will elect you are in Niger State?
“It is clear that with the way things are going, the party cannot deliver in the state. I have to take this decision quickly in other to save my image and political career.”
When asked if had conveyed his decision to the state chairman of the party, he said: “The state chairman is even happy that I have done the right thing. Everybody in the party is tired of the governorship candidate. He has killed the party in the state. I don’t want people to accuse both of us that we collaborated and sold the party in the state.”
All attempts to reach the governorship candidate, to react to the allegations did not yield any result as he did not take calls made to his phone nor respond to text message sent to him.
