The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has declared that its political agreement with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiyya Movement ended immediately after the 2023 general elections.
National Secretary of the party, Dr. Oginni Olaposi, stated this in reaction to reports of Kwankwaso’s planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Olaposi, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the NNPP and Kwankwaso’s group was strictly for the 2023 polls and had since expired. He explained that the party has also expelled Kwankwaso and his loyalists over alleged anti-party activities.
The NNPP further accused the Kwankwasiyya group of attempting to hijack the party by altering its logo and instituting litigations aimed at taking control.
Olapsi stressed that any political moves made by Kwankwaso henceforth should be regarded as personal and not on behalf of the NNPP.
The party reiterated that it is moving forward with its own structures and preparations for future elections, independent of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
Olaposi said Kwankwaso’s declaration only confirmed what the NNPP had maintained all along, that he was no longer part of their fold.
“At last, we have been vindicated. All negotiations by any party with Kwankwaso should be done in his individual capacity,” he stated.
The NNPP scribe added that the party could now focus on rebuilding after what he described as the “crisis and litigations that Kwankwaso and his followers brought to the NNPP.”
Olaposi stressed that the NNPP has nothing against forming alliances with other parties, but such decisions would be taken collectively by its leadership and members, not by individuals.
“The NNPP has nothing against the ruling party, and if at any point before the 2027 general elections we think we should enter into alliance with APC or any other, it will be decided by all members.
“For now, we are putting our house in order nationwide, consolidating our structures and reconnecting with the people,” he added.
End of the Kwankwasiya Pact
According to Olaposi, the partnership between the NNPP and the Kwankwasiya Movement ended immediately after the 2023 general elections.
“The crisis began because, rather than leave peacefully, they tried to hijack the party. We can’t wait to see them at another party,” he said.
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He also argued that Kwankwaso’s political influence had waned since his fallout with the NNPP.
“Kwankwaso has no political party. His political value dipped after betraying the NNPP, which gave him a free platform for his presidential ambition. Most of his core followers in Kano had already joined the APC long before now,” Olaposi declared.
The NNPP warned Nigerians and political groups not to fall for any claim that Kwankwaso speaks on behalf of the party.
“Any negotiation in the name of NNPP is null and void because they remain expelled from our party,” Olaposi said.
Olaposi also criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for delaying the upload of the details of the party’s new executive produced at a court-ordered convention that ushered in Dr. Agbo Major as the new national chairman.
