Rabiu Kwankwaso, national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), said on Thursday he has no plans to defect, dismissing speculation over his political future and insisting the party remains strong ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the NNPP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, Kwankwaso said the party was performing well in Kano and other states.
“We are very happy about that,” he said.
He acknowledged that some people had attended the meeting to hear directly from him after rumours circulated that he was considering leaving the party.
“But let me take this opportunity to tell you that we have our party, and we are comfortable. We are happy. We are ready to do whatever it takes because we are not in a hurry,” Kwankwaso said.
The former Kano State governor stressed that any decision on alliances or negotiations ahead of 2027 would be made collectively.
“If there will be any negotiation, it will be collective. It will not be only for the negotiators but for the entire members of this NNPP family. The fact remains that there is nobody in Kwankwasia today that I know, or even in NNPP, who is saying, ‘yes, I want to go,’” he said.
Kwankwaso urged members not to be distracted by talk of defections.
“Those people don’t understand, and they don’t have much experience. They believe that they know when they actually don’t know. Even if they are interested in knowing, I think they should come and ask one of us,” he said.
Recalling how he lost the 2003 Kano governorship election despite being an incumbent, Kwankwaso said the experience had been instructive.
“It was a good lesson for everybody,” he said, adding that Nigerians had already made up their minds about 2027 and that “reality will determine the people’s votes.”
NNPP National Chairman Dr. Ajuji Ahmed described the party as “the beautiful bride of Nigerian politics and democracy,” urging citizens to register for their permanent voter cards.
Kano Governor Abba Yusuf, represented by his deputy Aminu Gwarzo, said the NNPP remained strong despite political challenges. He claimed the party won two recent by-elections in Kano but was denied victory.
“We are confident the mandate will be reclaimed,” he said.
The NNPP’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Bishop Isaac Idahosa, also said the party was preparing for victory in 2027, noting it was gaining a “focused direction” under Kwankwaso’s leadership.
The NEC meeting approved caretaker committees for Kogi, Gombe, Taraba and Jigawa states, and extended the tenure of the Lagos State chairman. An Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) observer team attended the session alongside elected party officials.