A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Magaji Mato, has clarified that the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, has never had any factions. Mato made this assertion on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ on Wednesday, providing a legal and factual perspective on the matter. His comments come two days after Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf officially rejoined the All Progressives Congress, APC, following his resignation from the NNPP last Friday.
According to Mato, factionalization cannot be established simply by declaration. He emphasized that for a faction to exist, it must be legally recognized. Mato stated that the NNPP has a single leadership and is recognized as such by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. A visit to the INEC website, he noted, would confirm this.
Mato attributed the perception of factionalism to propaganda, with individuals claiming leadership and the media amplifying these claims. He stressed that there is no legal basis for recognizing multiple factions within the NNPP, and that the party’s unity is supported by both factual and legal records.
The development follows Governor Yusuf’s decision to leave the NNPP, a move that has sparked discussions about the party’s stability. Mato’s clarification aims to set the record straight, emphasizing that the NNPP remains a unified entity. The party’s leadership and structure, as recognized by INEC, remain intact, and there is no court ruling to suggest otherwise.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Mato’s statement seeks to provide clarity on the NNPP’s status. The party’s position and future plans are likely to be closely watched, particularly in the context of Nigeria’s political landscape. With the 2023 elections having concluded, political parties are repositioning themselves, and the NNPP’s unity will be crucial in its efforts to maintain a strong presence in Nigerian politics.
