Lagos, Nigeria — The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has blamed the internal leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on former presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, while also expressing sympathy for the party over its current challenges.
The reaction followed the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria’s electoral body, to withdraw recognition of a faction of the African Democratic Congress leadership that listed former Senate President David Mark as chairman and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as secretary. The electoral commission said the action was based on a Court of Appeal directive ordering that the status quo in the party be maintained.
In a statement issued in Lagos by the National Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Ogini Olaposi, the party said it was not surprised by the development. It alleged that the crisis was linked to actions involving Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and political associate Buba Galadima.
The party stated: “We are not surprised to note that the leadership of ADC did not know that God is angry with Kwankwaso and Buba Galadima over their attempt to hijack NNPP from the backdoor.”
It also argued that disputes began when the original logo and colours of the New Nigeria People’s Party were altered without approval from the party leadership. According to the statement, the New Nigeria People’s Party was registered in 2001, while Kwankwaso and members of the Kwankwasiyya political movement joined in 2022 to contest the 2023 elections.
The party added that although Kwankwaso lost the presidential contest, some of his supporters secured political victories, including the governorship of Kano State and other elective positions. It further claimed that the African Democratic Congress accepted Kwankwaso and his supporters without reconciliation with the New Nigeria People’s Party.
The statement advised the African Democratic Congress to encourage Kwankwaso and Buba Galadima to apologise and reconcile with members of the New Nigeria People’s Party, warning that failure to do so could prolong internal disputes.
The New Nigeria People’s Party also urged the African Democratic Congress not to suffer consequences for actions it attributed to individuals, while alleging that some supporters linked to Kwankwaso were sympathetic to the ruling All Progressives Congress.