The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has ruled out the possibility of its 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, contesting on the party’s platform in the 2027 presidential election.
The party’s National Secretary, Mr Ogini Olaposi, made the position known in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos, stating that the NNPP’s 2027 presidential ticket would be available only to bona fide party members.
Olaposi said Kwankwaso would not be permitted to contest the NNPP ticket in 2027 due to unresolved disagreements between the party and the Kwankwasiya Movement.
According to him, the NNPP entered into a Memorandum of Association with the Kwankwasiya Movement in 2022, which automatically expired after the 2023 general elections.
He added that alleged anti-party activities by some members of the movement after the polls led to the expulsion of its leaders.
“Anti party activities by some members of the Kwankwasiya movement after the presidential elections, led to the expulsion of the top members, including Kwankwaso, Elder Buba Galadima and others, which had not be reversed.”
Olaposi stressed that the party’s approach to its presidential ticket had changed.
“The NNPP ticket for 2027 is open to all members, unlike in 2023 when it was solely given to Kwankwaso.
“Already, we have intending presidential aspirants, including two from the NNPP diaspora, and we are open to more including alliances.
“The NNPP is open to collaborations with sister political parties that have similar ideologies in 2027.”
Reacting to claims credited to Kwankwaso about possible defection to another party, Olaposi dismissed such assertions as unrealistic.
“It is laughable that Kwankwaso is saying that if he must decamp to any political party, including the APC, they must offer him their presidential tickets.”
He further questioned Kwankwaso’s electoral strength.
“Kwankwaso do not have the selling capacity like President Bola Tinubu nationwide, with his alleged one million votes in Kano stat.
“Kwankwaso’s influence in Kano state is over rated at the moment because many strategic members of the Kwankwasiya movement have already defected to the APC.”
Olaposi maintained that the ruling party’s prospects for 2027 were based on governance performance rather than political influence.
“President Tinubu and the APC selling point for 2027 is based on performance as the ruling party and not undue influence.
“Kwankwaso’s influence as a former governor of Kano state is long gone and cannot affect Tinubu’s votes in Kano state in 2027.”
He urged political parties seeking alliances with the NNPP ahead of the 2027 elections to engage only with the party’s recognised leadership.
“Kwankwaso and his group remain expelled and cannot negotiate for the NNPP. The NNPP National Working Committee will decide all alliances in 2027.”
