The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has clarified that its members will not be part of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s planned defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Mr Boniface Aniebonam, the founder of the party, stated this in a Sunday release from Lagos, following Kwankwaso’s announcement of his resignation from the NNPP with immediate effect.
Kwankwaso expressed gratitude for his time as the NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate, describing his resignation as a difficult decision driven by “strategic realignment” in Nigeria’s political landscape. He is set to officially join the ADC on Monday, March 30.
In a memo issued Saturday, former NNPP National Chairman Ahmed Ajuji, a member of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, urged party officials at all levels to remain in their positions, emphasizing efforts to unify the NNPP and resolve ongoing litigations.
Aniebonam, however, stressed that the NNPP would not serve as a fallback for Kwankwaso should his ADC venture fail.
“We are not joining ADC; most of our members in Kano State went to the APC. Only members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement may join their leader in the ADC,” Aniebonam said.
He further noted that Ajuji and members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, including Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima, had been expelled from the NNPP and had lost related court cases.
“The NNPP will not accept Kwankwaso back into its fold nor allow him to ever fly our flag again for whatever position,” he added.
Aniebonam highlighted that consultations for the 2027 presidential primaries are already underway within the NNPP, stressing that all aspirants would need to compete fairly, unlike in 2023 when the ticket was automatically given to Kwankwaso.
He concluded by saying that while the NNPP is open to collaborations with parties sharing similar ideologies, any alliances would be determined by party members in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
