The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has made it clear that Rabiu Kwankwaso, its 2023 presidential candidate, will not be contesting the 2027 presidential election under its banner. NNPP National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, responding to recent claims about Kwankwaso’s political intentions.
These claims, primarily advanced by Buba Galadima, suggested that Kwankwaso would remain within the NNPP and contest the presidency in 2027. Galadima denied rumors of Kwankwaso joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating they would “strategically stay in the NNPP until the whistle is blown for 2027 politics” and called on Nigerians to back Kwankwaso’s presidential bid.
Dr. Major countered these assertions by reminding the public that both Kwankwaso and Galadima were expelled from the party due to anti-party conduct. “The NNPP had long expelled Kwankwaso and Galadima and so, they no longer speak for us nor can they use our platform for any political contest,” he said.
He recounted the end of the party’s Memorandum of Understanding with Kwankwaso’s Kwankwasiya Movement shortly after the 2023 elections. Dr. Major criticized Kwankwaso for causing internal party conflicts, including legal battles and attempts to usurp party leadership by changing the party’s logo. “The court’s interventions led to INEC reverting to our original logo after a controversial convention in Abuja,” he added.
The chairman dismissed any notion that Kwankwaso would receive an easy nomination again, warning that his ambitions would not be accommodated without leadership guarantees. “Kwankwaso can never join any political party where he will not have the chance of leadership,” he noted, describing Kwankwaso’s presidential ambition as “dead on arrival.”
While acknowledging Kwankwaso’s right to run for office, Dr. Major insisted he must do so independently and not involve the NNPP. He revealed that the party is currently considering other aspirants and will follow proper constitutional procedures to select its 2027 candidate. “We will no longer handover our ticket on a platter of gold, and definitely not to someone who betrayed our trust,” he affirmed.
In closing, Dr. Major urged Nigerians to ignore any claims by Kwankwaso’s faction that they represent the NNPP, emphasizing the party’s focus on constructive political discourse. “NNPP has moved on and cannot be dragged into unnecessary controversies,” he concluded.