The ongoing crisis within the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) took a concerning turn on Thursday when Major Agbo, the factional chairman, expressed fears of an assassination plot against him. The NNPP has been divided into two factions: one led by Agbo, consisting of the party’s original members, and another faction loyal to Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who joined the party just before the 2023 general elections and became the presidential candidate.
The Agbo faction, which expelled Kwankwaso, accused him of attempting to take control of the party and nullified the agreement that allowed Kwankwaso’s group, known as Kwankwasiya, to join the NNPP.
During a press conference in Abuja, Agbo revealed that he believes his life is in danger. He alleged that “political opportunists trying to hijack the party’s leadership” had sent assassins to his office on Monday.
Agbo described how two armed individuals entered his office in Wuse Zone 4, seeking to assassinate him. However, he managed to escape harm because the assailants were unable to recognize him when they arrived at the faction’s party headquarters.
He recounted the incident, saying, “The reason for this briefing is to bring you to speed with an attempt made to assassinate me here in this office on Monday, 16th August 2023. I walked in here at about 2.45 pm, and shortly after that two men walked in, ignoring the protocol advice from the desk boys in the front office. They walked in with weapons demanding to meet me; unknown to them, they were talking to me. It was evident that they never knew me physically, in fact, my saving grace was that I was not sitting on my chair. Pointing a short gun at me, they demanded that I produce ‘Major Agbo,’ who one of them claimed was his coursemate at Command and Staff College, Jaji.”
Agbo further disclosed that he has been receiving death threats in addition to the alleged assassination attempt. He expressed hope that the public and media would raise awareness about these threats and the attempt on his life, which he believes are related to efforts by certain individuals to take control of the party.