By Becky Usman
In the midst of the turmoil engulfing the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr. Major Agbo, the National Chairman loyal to the party’s founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at his Abuja office. The NNPP has been embroiled in a crisis, resulting in two factions vying for control.
Addressing the media in Abuja, Dr. Agbo revealed that the attempt on his life occurred in the newly established NNPP office on August 16, 2023. He described the harrowing incident, stating that he entered his office around 2:45 pm when two individuals breached security protocols and entered with weapons, demanding to meet “Major Agbo.” Unbeknownst to them, they were, in fact, speaking to Dr. Agbo himself.
Dr. Agbo recounted the situation: “Pointing a firearm at me, they insisted on seeing ‘Major Agbo,’ claiming that one of them was his former course mate at Command and Staff College, Jaji. I inquired whether they could identify him in person, to which they affirmed. I then informed them that Major Agbo was not present. Subsequently, they hastily retreated, fleeing in an ash-colored Toyota Corolla parked along the roadside for a quick getaway.”
Dr. Agbo expressed concerns over recent developments within the party, including attempts by certain individuals to wrest control from its founder and its parent organization, NAGAFF. He revealed that he had received multiple threats via WhatsApp voice calls, alluding to dire consequences for his refusal to yield to their ambitions. Although their assassination attempt failed due to their inability to recognize him, Dr. Agbo emphasized the urgency of the situation and reported the incident to the appropriate authorities.
He implored the media to shed light on this blatant attempt on his life by usurpers who had recently joined the party, which had been in existence for twenty-two years prior to their arrival.
Dr. Agbo also recalled his previous interactions with the media in August, where he highlighted numerous instances of anti-party activities orchestrated by the former acting National Chairman, Alh Abba Kawu Ali, and ex-National Secretary, Oladipupo Olayoku. He mentioned the disbandment of the Prince Onu Nwaeze-led Disciplinary Committee, expulsion of several key figures, and the subsequent reorganization of the party under his leadership. Additionally, new zonal structures and leadership changes in various states were established, fostering unity within the party that had been disrupted by the Kwankwassiya group.
In conclusion, Dr. Agbo emphasized the need to draw attention to the ongoing turmoil within NNPP, seeking support from the media to expose the threats to his life and the integrity of the party he has dedicated himself to lead.