The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has firmly denied media reports claiming that its local government chairmen in Katsina State defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or other political parties. In a public statement issued Monday, NNPP’s Katsina State Chairman, Alhaji Armaya’u Abdulkadir, dismissed the reports as a misrepresentation of facts, emphasizing that none of its current officials have switched allegiance.
Abdulkadir clarified that misleading narratives about the defection of 34 local government chairmen originated from social media posts and some media outlets. He attributed the confusion to a group of former NNPP members who had previously left the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC) after Nigeria’s 2023 presidential elections. These individuals, according to the chairman, later joined the ADC from the APC—not directly from the NNPP. “Their defection was from APC, not from NNPP,” Abdulkadir stated, urging the public to disregard the “inaccurate” reports.
The controversy appears linked to Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa, a former Secretary to the Katsina State government, who was cited in the initial reports as facilitating the purported defection. However, the NNPP leader stressed that Inuwa’s involvement related to APC members transitioning to the ADC, not current NNPP officials. The party underscored its stability in Katsina, a politically significant state in northern Nigeria, insisting that its leadership structure remains intact amid shifting alliances in the region.
Political defections are not uncommon in Nigeria, where officials often switch parties ahead of elections or due to intra-party conflicts. The NNPP’s rebuttal highlights efforts to counter misinformation and maintain public confidence in its organizational cohesion. The party’s leadership called for responsible reporting, urging media outlets to verify claims before publication to avoid amplifying false narratives.
The development comes amid heightened political activity in Nigeria, with parties strategizing ahead of upcoming local and national elections. Accurate representation of party dynamics holds particular importance in states like Katsina, where voter sentiment often influences broader electoral trends. By addressing the reports head-on, the NNPP aims to project an image of unity while distancing itself from perceived instability within rival parties.
Abdulkadir’s statement concluded with a reaffirmation of the NNPP’s commitment to its members and objectives, urging supporters to rely on official channels for updates. The party’s swift response underscores the heightened sensitivity to reputational management in Nigeria’s competitive political landscape, where misinformation can sway public perception and alliance-building efforts.
