The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has declared that it would consider it a major relief if its 2023 presidential flagbearer, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, defects to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This was made known in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos by the NNPP’s National Secretary, Mr. Oginni Olaposi.
Olaposi was responding to reports surrounding the resignation of APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, and the speculation that his exit may be connected to an alleged arrangement to pave the way for Kwankwaso’s return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ganduje formally stepped down from his chairmanship role on Friday, citing health reasons. However, the NNPP believes there’s more to the resignation than has been officially stated, especially considering the long-standing feud between Ganduje and Kwankwaso.
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Olaposi noted that although Ganduje’s resignation is an internal issue within the APC, the NNPP felt compelled to respond due to Kwankwaso’s lingering ties with the party despite his expulsion over alleged anti-party behavior.
He accused Kwankwaso of attempting to take control of the party and dragging it into avoidable legal disputes.
“Kwankwaso still insists he is a member of our party even after his expulsion for alleged anti-party activities,” Olaposi stated.
“Kwankwaso did not only try to hijack the NNPP but made the party go through avoidable litigations.
The NNPP Logo that he changed to the Kwankwasiya Movement Logo has just been changed to our Logo by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after years of controversy and litigations.”
Olaposi also expressed skepticism about the circulating narrative that Ganduje left the APC to smooth the path for a political alliance with Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He referenced Ganduje’s past statement where the former APC chairman said the party was always willing to forgive defectors and welcome them back.
“We have reasons to doubt the ongoing propaganda that Ganduje left APC to enable an alleged negotiated arrangement with Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 presidential election,” he said.
The NNPP, however, made it clear that it would be pleased if the alleged deal between Kwankwaso and the APC comes to fruition, arguing that the ruling party is better suited to deal with Kwankwaso’s political baggage.
“We find it difficult to believe that Kwankwaso, who is still struggling to hijack the NNPP, is also negotiating to join the ruling party.”
Olaposi recalled how Kwankwaso turned his back on the party’s founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, who had facilitated his 2023 presidential ticket.
