The New Nigeria Peoples Party has declared that its 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, does not have its platform available to contest against President Bola Tinubu or any other presidential candidate in the upcoming 2027 elections.
This was made known by the NNPP National Chairman, Dr Agbo Major, in a statement issued on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Major’s comments come in response to claims by Elder Buba Galadima, who recently asserted that Kwankwaso would remain in the NNPP and run for the presidency on its platform.
Galadima, dismissing speculations that Kwankwaso was on his way to the All Progressives Congress, had said there was no evidence to support such claims. He also remarked that they would “strategically stay in the NNPP until the whistle is blown for 2027 politics,” calling on Nigerians to rally behind Kwankwaso to assume the presidency.
However, Dr Major made it clear that the NNPP platform is closed to both Kwankwaso and Galadima, whom he said had long been expelled from the party over anti-party activities.
“The NNPP had long expelled Kwankwaso and Galadima, and so they no longer speak for us, nor can they use our platform for any political contest,” Major stated.
He further explained, “Our Memorandum of Understanding with the Kwankwasiya Movement, led by Kwankwaso, ended shortly after the 2023 presidential election.
“We cannot even allow Kwankwaso, for whatever reason, to return to the NNPP fold because of the problems and internal wranglings he created for us.
“Kwankwaso led us into unnecessary litigations and even changed our party logo to the Kwankwasiya logo, all in an attempt to hijack the leadership of the party.
“It was the Court’s interventions that led to INEC changing back to our logo that they submitted after a kangaroo convention in Abuja.”
Major also pointed out that Kwankwaso was likely banking on securing another free ticket as he did in 2023, but stressed that such would not happen again.
“Certainly, Kwankwaso can never join any political party where he will not have the chance of leadership.
“Kwankwaso and his group remain expelled, and we will not readmit them because they betrayed our trust massively.
“He does not have the pedigree to match President Tinubu in any contest, and so his ambition is dead on arrival.”
The NNPP chairman acknowledged that it is Kwankwaso’s right as a Nigerian to contest for any political office but insisted he must do so without dragging the party into his disputes with the president.
He also revealed that the NNPP is currently being approached by various intending aspirants, a matter the party will address in due course.
“Whoever will emerge as the NNPP 2027 presidential candidate will do so, following due process and constitutionality.
“We will no longer hand over our ticket on a platter of gold, and definitely not to someone who betrayed our trust and is no longer in the party,” Major added.
He called on Nigerians to disregard any statements made against the presidency and the APC by Kwankwaso and his associates, noting that they do not speak for the NNPP.
“The NNPP as a party believes in constructive criticisms of issues and not against personalities or other political parties. We advise Kwankwaso to float his own party and use it for his own agenda.
“NNPP has moved on and can’t be dragged into unnecessary controversies again,” he added.
