The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused its 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, of betrayal and warned that his continued attempts to control the party have caused deep internal crises.
In a statement issued Sunday, June 29, in Lagos, the party’s National Secretary, Oginni Olaposi, said it would be a “huge relief” if reports of Kwankwaso joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) turn out to be true.
“Kwankwaso betrayed our trust in him by trying to hijack the party from its founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, who facilitated his free ticket for the 2023 presidential election,” Olaposi said.
The NNPP’s reaction followed the recent resignation of APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, which has sparked speculation that Kwankwaso may be plotting a return to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Although Ganduje cited health reasons for stepping down, Olaposi said the timing raised questions about a possible backroom deal involving Kwankwaso.
“Kwankwaso still insists he is a member of our party even after his expulsion for alleged anti-party activities,” Olaposi said.
According to the party, Kwankwaso not only attempted to seize control of NNPP but also dragged it into unnecessary legal battles.
“Kwankwaso did not only try to hijack the NNPP but also made the party go through avoidable litigations,” the statement noted.
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One major source of conflict was Kwankwaso’s move to replace the party’s official logo with that of his personal political brand, the Kwankwasiya Movement.
“The NNPP logo that he changed to the Kwankwasiya Movement logo has just been changed to our logo by INEC, after years of controversy and litigations,” Olaposi said.
He questioned claims that Ganduje’s exit was designed to ease Kwankwaso’s defection to the APC, saying: “We have reasons to doubt the ongoing propaganda that Ganduje left APC to enable an alleged negotiated arrangement with Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 presidential election.”
Still, the NNPP said it would be glad to see Kwankwaso finally go.
“We would be elated if any proposed deal between APC and Kwankwaso became a reality. The ruling party is in a better position to handle the former Kano state governor’s baggage,” Olaposi said.
He described Kwankwaso’s actions as a betrayal of the NNPP’s goodwill and values, and urged the public to understand that the party was now focused on reclaiming its identity and moving forward.
“Let the APC take him if they want,” he concluded. “We are done.”