Mr Ben Kure is the immediate past Kaduna State Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). In this interview, he speaks about why he quit the job.
You were recently sacked as the Kaduna State chairman of the NNPP following a vote of no confidence passed on you by the state working committee after which the national headquarters of the party denounced your sack. Can you tell us what happened?
I was not sacked; I tendered my resignation to the national secretariat of the party on 5th December 2022, but I was persuaded to stay in order to settle all issues amicably.
The governorship candidate of the party, Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, among other unconstitutional inferences did not allow me to operate freely for the betterment of the party in the state.
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Some members of the party have accused you of working for the ruling APC. What do you make of this?
These are mere allegations. If they have any proof they should bring it to the public domain. Since my former boss, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, fired me in May 2021; I do not think I have set eyes on him. It is an unfounded position. They just want to give a dog a bad name and hang it. It is not true.
What effort has the NNPP national secretariat made to resolve the issues?
To be honest with you, I have raised these red flags to the presidential candidate, Malam Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso – a man I love and respect so much. In fact, it is because of the respect I have for him that I stayed this long in NNPP; because I thought in the course of time, things will improve but he referred me to the national chairman again and again. But Hunkuyi did not change because he was given the trust of our national leader and presidential candidate to set up the structure.
I am not a contestant, I am just the chairman who coordinates and gives them direction; this directive is to boost their political visibility and an opportunity for them to talk about the blueprint of the party which is one of the best in the country.
What is the fate of NNPP in Kaduna State considering that the 2023 general elections are fast approaching?
I am out. It is however unfortunate that a few months before the general elections, the party has remained virtually invisible at a time of heightened campaign and mobilisation of voters.
This most unfortunate situation is caused by the manipulative tendencies of Hunkuyi and his gang, who have shown utter disregard for the party’s rules and regulations. But like I told you, Malam Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso definitely has good support, he will make a remarkable impact. He is among the best presidential candidates we have in the country and there is no basis for comparison.
What is your next political direction?
Having done the best, it is time to move on with my life. My experience with NNPP in Kaduna is regrettable. I do not ever hope to have anything to do with the majority of the state exco members. I, therefore, wish to inform you and all my supporters and associates that I have resigned as the Kaduna State chairman of NNPP and I am no longer a member of the party.
I will take a rest, reflect on my political future and inform the public appropriately.
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