The New Nigeria Peoples Party says its 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, will not be allowed to run for president under its platform in the 2027 general elections.
This was made known by the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, through a public statement released on Saturday. His comment came after Buba Galadima, an ally of Kwankwaso, said that the former Kano State governor would still remain with the NNPP and contest in the next presidential election using the party’s ticket.
Galadima had earlier stated that there was no truth to the rumors of Kwankwaso joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming instead that they would “strategically stay in the NNPP until the whistle is blown for 2027 politics,” and further urged Nigerians to support Kwankwaso to become the next president.
Reacting to Galadima’s statement, Dr. Agbo Major noted that both Kwankwaso and Galadima had already been removed from the NNPP long ago due to what he called “anti-party activities.”
He said they are no longer recognized members and therefore cannot use the NNPP as a platform to pursue any political ambition.
“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 on the NNPP fold because of the problems and internal wranglings he created for us.
“Kwankwaso led us into unnecessary litigation 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,” he said .
He said that Kwankwaso must be counting on another free ticket like he got for the 2023 presidential election but it 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,” he said.
The NNPP chairman insisted that though it is Kwankwaso’s right as a Nigerian to seek to contest for any office, he should do so without getting the party involved in any of his antagonisms against the President.
He disclosed that the NNPP is being approached by some intending aspirants and shall dwell on that at the appropriate time.
“Whoever will emerge as the NNPP 2027 presidential candidate will do so, following due process and constitutionality.
“We will no longer handover our ticket on a platter of gold, and definitely not to someone who betrayed our trust and is no longer on the party,” Major added.
He urged Nigerians to disregard utterances against the Presidency and APC by Kwankwaso and his group, claiming they are speaking 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.
