The National Secretary of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Mr Ogini Olaposi, says the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, will not be allowed to contest on its platform in the 2027 presidential election.
Olaposi said this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.
The NNPP national secretary reiterated that the party’s 2027 presidential ticket would be open only to bona fide members wishing to contest the presidential and other elections.
He noted that Kwankwaso, who flew the NNPP ticket in 2023, would not be allowed to do so in 2027 due to disagreements between the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
According to Olaposi, the NNPP entered into a Memorandum of Association with the Kwankwasiyya Movement in 2022, which expired after the elections.
“Anti-party activities by some members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement after the presidential election led to the expulsion of top members, including Kwankwaso, Elder Buba Galadima and others, which has not been reversed.
“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,” Olaposi stated.
According to him, it is laughable that Kwankwaso is saying that if he must defect to any political party, including the APC, such a party must offer him its presidential ticket.
“Kwankwaso does not have the selling capacity nationwide like President Bola Tinubu, with his alleged one million votes in Kano State.
“Kwankwaso’s influence in Kano State is overrated at the moment because many strategic members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement have already defected to the APC.
“President Tinubu and the APC’s 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 added.
Olaposi urged political parties wishing to enter into alliances with the NNPP in 2027 to do so through the party’s National Working Committee, which he said is credible and endorsed by the courts.
“Kwankwaso and his group remain expelled and cannot negotiate for the NNPP. The NNPP National Working Committee will decide all alliances in 2027,” he added.
PUNCH Online reports that the development comes amid reports that top political figures from other parties, including Kwankwaso, are being wooed by the African Democratic Congress.
This follows a public statement by Kwankwaso last Saturday in Kano, where he expressed willingness to align with any opposition coalition prepared to offer him either the presidential or vice-presidential ticket.
Kwankwaso made the remarks while addressing his supporters amid rumours of the defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, during which he outlined conditions for any possible opposition alliance.
(NAN)
