The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has declared that its 2023 presidential flag bearer, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, will not be permitted to seek the party’s presidential ticket in the 2027 general election.
The party’s National Secretary, Mr Ogini Olaposi, made the clarification in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos.
Olaposi said the NNPP’s presidential ticket for 2027 would be available only to bonafide members interested in contesting the election, stressing that the process would be open and competitive.
He explained that Kwankwaso, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the NNPP platform, would not be eligible to run on the party’s ticket in 2027 due to unresolved disagreements involving the NNPP and the Kwankwasiya Movement.
According to him, the party entered into a Memorandum of Association with the Kwankwasiya Movement in 2022, which expired after the general elections.
‘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.
“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.
Olaposi also dismissed claims attributed to Kwankwaso regarding conditions for joining another political party, describing them as unrealistic.
According to Olaposi, 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.
“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.
“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 further urged political parties seeking alliances ahead of the 2027 elections to engage with the NNPP through its recognised leadership.
Olaposi urged political parties wishing to enter into alliance with the NNPP in 2027 to do so, using the party’s credible National Working Committee, 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.
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