The National Secretary of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ogini Olaposi, has declared that the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, will not be allowed to contest on the party’s platform in the 2027 presidential election.
Olaposi made the declaration in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos, stressing that the NNPP’s presidential ticket for 2027 would only be available to bona fide members of the party.
According to him, Kwankwaso, who flew the NNPP flag in the 2023 general election, lost the right to seek the party’s ticket again due to unresolved disagreements between the party and the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
The NNPP scribe explained that the party entered into a Memorandum of Association with the Kwankwasiyya Movement in 2022, which he said automatically expired after the 2023 polls.
He alleged that “anti party activities by some members of the Kwankwasiyya movement after the presidential elections, led to the expulsion of the top members, including Kwankwaso, Elder Buba Galadima and others, which had not be reversed.”
Olaposi further stated that unlike the 2023 election, when the ticket was exclusively handed to Kwankwaso, the party has adopted an open process ahead of 2027.
“The NNPP ticket for 2027 is open to all members, unlike in 2023 when it was solely given to Kwankwaso,” he said.
He added that the party is already witnessing interest from aspirants at home and abroad.
“Already, we have intending presidential aspirants, including two from the NNPP diaspora, and we are open to more including alliances.
“The NNPP is open to collaborations with sister political parties that have similar ideologies in 2027,” Olaposi stated.
Reacting to claims attributed to Kwankwaso about possible defection to another party, Olaposi dismissed such comments as unrealistic.
According to him, “it is laughable that Kwankwaso is saying that if he must decamp to any political party, including the APC, they must offer him their presidential tickets.”
He argued that Kwankwaso lacks the nationwide political appeal enjoyed by President Bola Tinubu.
“Kwankwaso do not have the selling capacity like President Bola Tinubu nationwide, with his alleged one million votes in Kano stat,” Olaposi said.
He further downplayed Kwankwaso’s political relevance in Kano State, insisting that his influence has waned significantly.
“Kwankwaso’s influence in Kano state is over rated at the moment because many strategic members of the Kwankwasiyya movement have already defected to the APC,” he added.
Olaposi maintained that the ruling party’s prospects for the next general election would be driven by governance and performance rather than individual political influence.
“President Tinubu and the APC selling point for 2027 is based on performance as the ruling party and not undue influence.
“Kwankwaso’s influence as a former governor of Kano state is long gone and cannot affect Tinubu’s votes in Kano state in 2027.”
He also cautioned political parties seeking alliances with the NNPP ahead of 2027 to engage only with the party’s recognised leadership.
Olaposi said such engagements must be conducted through “the party’s credible National Working Committee, endorsed by the Courts.”
“Kwankwaso and his group remain expelled and cannot negotiate for the NNPP. The NNPP National Working Committee will decide all alliances in 2027,” he added.
