The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused its 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, of actions that have divided the party and led to several defections among members.
The party claimed that Kwankwaso’s conduct has caused an internal leadership crisis, prompting key figures to leave for other political parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, NNPP National Secretary, Dr. Ogini Olaposi, said the exit of major members such as Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin, who rejoined the APC, and Ambassador Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, who moved to the PDP, was a direct result of Kwankwaso’s alleged interference.
“The NNPP has faced several court cases and continues to struggle with leadership challenges because Kwankwaso and his movement tried to take over the party’s structure,” Olaposi said.
He noted that many of the party’s influential members in Kano State have already defected to the APC due to ongoing internal conflicts.
Olaposi also accused Kwankwaso and his followers of betraying the party’s founder and Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam. “The sad part is that Kwankwaso and his loyalists betrayed the trust placed in them by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam,” he added.
The secretary stated that the unresolved internal dispute has weakened the morale of loyal members and may lead to more defections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“With INEC yet to settle the leadership dispute despite court rulings recognizing the Dr. Agbo Major-led National Working Committee, there is a chance that more members will leave because of uncertainty about their future in the party,” Olaposi said.
He, however, clarified that the NNPP holds no resentment toward those who chose to leave, emphasizing that joining or quitting a political party is a personal decision.
“It is every Nigerian’s right to belong to any political group of their choice. Those who left did so of their own free will, not under pressure, but because of our internal issues,” the statement explained.
Olaposi reaffirmed the NNPP’s commitment to fairness, honesty, and unity, urging remaining members to stay calm as efforts to reconcile the factions continue.
He concluded by calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold valid court judgments on the party’s leadership crisis, saying, “INEC should not wait for another court order before obeying the rulings already made.”