Power tussle looms in CNPP
By Alice Micah
If utmost care is not taken, a festering power tussle may soon envelope the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) in Rivers State.
This paper can authoritatively report that there is a growing differences among executive members of the body, due largely to undisclosed interests that leaders of each of the emerging factions are holding on to.
At the moment, there are no clear indications of trouble on the surface but comments that are coming from officials of the CNPP, especially against the backdrop of the formation of another opposition group, suggest that the centre can no longer hold.
A fortnight ago, this publication had reported that the body had allegedly suspended the Secretary, Comrade John Geoffrey.
When contacted, the scribe denied ever being suspended, saying CNPP had rules and regulations governing it, including processes that ought to be followed in removing serving functionaries.
Last Friday, a new body, Forum of Organised Opposition Political Parties (FOOPP), was inaugurated in the state.
One of the reasons for inaugurating the body, according to its sponsors, was to form a formidable force so as to take over power come 2011 and also support the unity government of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
However, it was observed that parties such as All Nigeria Political Party (ANPP), Accord Party (AP), Fresh Democratic Party (FDP) and many others were not part of the political alignment.
The ANPP Organizing Secretary, Comrade John Geoffrey, and the leader of Fresh Democratic Party, Minaibi Dagogo-Jack who are Secretary and Vice Chairman of CNPP respectively in the state were also unavoidably absent.
This, Comrade John Geoffrey explained, was to dissociate himself and the ANPP from the forum.
He said: “In as much as the ANPP supports the idea of FOOPP, the methodology is what we are against and as such we dissociate ourselves from such forum.
“The original plan was to bring all the political parties together and work for the betterment of the state, but along the line we saw publications coming up with our signatures not in line with our names”.
According to the scribe, “The ANPP as a party is willing and ready to contribute its quota towards the development of our state. We also wish to state that we are happy and appreciate the different developmental projects going on in the state. What the government is doing in the areas of roads, renovation and building of model schools and security is commendable”.
When asked on his alleged suspension by the CNPP, he affirmed “I am still the Secretary of CNPP”.
Comrade Geoffrey also told this reporter that the CNPP is about to remove the Chairman of CNPP, Chief Tamuno Roberts.
Reason, according to him, was that no one is allowed to hold two political offices at a time.
In his words, “The point is this, FOOPP is a political group as well as CNPP and no one can belong to two political groups at the same time. Just as the saying goes, you cannot serve two masters at the same time.
“I believe that he (Chief Roberts) knows the right thing to do. We in CNPP don’t see him as Chairman any longer, so I expect him to resign, because we will be meeting to take appropriate action towards that”.
However, when contacted, Chief Tamuno Roberts who is the Secretary of Board of Trustees of the newly-formed Forum of Organised Opposition Political Parties (FOOPP) said Comrade Geoffrey has been suspended as the Secretary of CNPP and as such lacks the capacity to speak on behalf of the body.
“He is no longer a member of CNPP and as such does not have the capacity to talk on behalf of the CNPP. CNPP is made up of leaders of political parties. Comrade Geoffrey is an Organizing Secretary of his party, and so he is not qualified in the first place to belong to the body”, he stated.
Chief Roberts alleged that Comrade Geoffrey and others were working against the interest of FOOPP and when it was discovered, they had to back out.
In his words, “They were going about doing what is sinister to the group, and when it was discovered they left in shame. Nobody drove them away. If he wants to belong to the group he is free, otherwise, he should leave us alone”.
