The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has declared that it would welcome the defection of its 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing such a move as a “significant relief” for the party. This sentiment was conveyed in a statement issued on Sunday by the NNPP National Secretary, Oginni Olaposi, from Lagos.
The party’s remarks come amidst widespread speculation linking the recent resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje as the APC National Chairman to ongoing negotiations with Kwankwaso, potentially ahead of the 2027 general elections. While acknowledging that Ganduje’s resignation, attributed to health reasons, remains an internal matter for the APC, the NNPP stated it could not remain silent due to Kwankwaso’s continued association with their party, despite his earlier expulsion.
Olaposi stated, “Kwankwaso still insists he is a member of our party even after his expulsion for alleged anti-party activities. He not only tried to hijack the NNPP but subjected the party to avoidable and prolonged litigations.” The National Secretary further highlighted that the party’s logo, which Kwankwaso allegedly altered to reflect his Kwankwasiya Movement, had only recently been restored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after a series of legal battles.
The NNPP expressed doubt regarding reports suggesting that Ganduje stepped down specifically to pave the way for Kwankwaso’s entry into the APC, though they reiterated they would not oppose such a development. The statement read, “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. That said, we would be elated if any such deal becomes reality. The ruling APC is in a better position to handle the baggage that Kwankwaso carries.”
The NNPP did not hold back in accusing the former Kano State governor of betrayal, claiming he turned against the party and its founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, despite benefiting from a free presidential ticket in the 2023 elections. “Kwankwaso betrayed our trust by trying to hijack the party from its founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, who facilitated his free ticket for the 2023 presidential election,” Olaposi added.
