The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused its 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, of engaging in anti-party activities, leading to widespread defections to other political parties. The party claims that Kwankwaso’s conduct has triggered a wave of departures to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The NNPP’s National Secretary, Dr. Ogini Olaposi, made the allegations in response to the recent defection of two key members, Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin and Ambassador Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, who joined the APC and PDP respectively. According to Dr. Olaposi, the party has faced a series of litigations and a leadership crisis since Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiyya Movement attempted to hijack the party’s leadership and structures.
The leadership crisis, Dr. Olaposi explained, has led to the defection of several strategic members in Kano to the ruling APC. He also accused Kwankwaso and his followers of betraying the party’s founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam. The internal rift has discouraged loyal members and pushed others to seek relevance elsewhere ahead of the 2027 elections.
Despite the challenges, the NNPP emphasized that it holds no bad intention towards those who choose to leave, stating that joining or leaving a political party is a matter of personal choice. The party reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of honesty, integrity, and ideological commitment, urging members to remain calm while ongoing efforts to restore unity within the party continue.
The NNPP’s leadership crisis remains unresolved, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yet to resolve the issue despite landmark judgments affirming the Dr. Agbo Major-led National Working Committee. The party has called on INEC to obey valid court judgments and resolve the crisis to prevent further defections. With the 2027 elections approaching, the NNPP’s ability to resolve its internal conflicts will be crucial in determining its future prospects.