The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has voided the suspension of its Imo chairman, Charles Duruimo, by the party’s local government chairmen.

At a news conference in Abuja, the NNPP national publicity secretary, Agbo Major, said the decision was taken by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

He recounted a leadership crisis in the state chapter of the party, which resulted in the suspension of the chairman for anti-party activities.

“Duruimo dismissed his removal, stating that his leadership had earlier suspended the officers and members involved in the plot to sack him.

“The national leadership of the party, led by Alhaji Abba Kawu-Ali, has stepped into the matter with a view to amicably resolving it in the interest of the party and the good people of Imo who desired a new and better Nigeria on the platform of NNPP,” Mr Major said.

He added,

“All actions taken by the two sides in the leadership disagreement are null and void and of no effect in running the affairs of the party in Imo.”

Mr Major said the affected officers of the party did not explore the appropriate channel of communication and procedure in handling the dispute.

He added that in the next few days, the state executive would be invited to Abuja to resolve the crisis formally.

He said the need for peace, unity, teamwork and synergy in running the affairs of the party in Imo could not be overemphasised as it prepared for the November 2023 governorship election.

Major called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a level playing field to all political parties and their candidates in the upcoming poll and ensure the people’s mandate was respected.

He advised INEC to test-run its Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) to avoid the hitches associated with past elections.

“Every vote matters and should be counted and counted in the overall results. This is the only way to consolidate the nation’s frail democracy and reaffirms Nigerians’ confidence in the electoral process,” he added.