The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has stated that its 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, will not be permitted to vie for the party’s ticket in the upcoming 2027 presidential election. This decision was announced by the NNPP National Secretary, Mr. Ogini Olaposi, who clarified that the 2027 presidential ticket will be exclusively available to bonafide NNPP members seeking to contest in the election. Olaposi emphasized that Kwankwaso’s exclusion stems from significant disagreements between him and the NNPP, as well as the Kwankwasiya Movement, following the 2023 polls.
The NNPP had entered into a Memorandum of Association with the Kwankwasiya Movement in 2022, an agreement that concluded after the presidential elections. According to Olaposi, subsequent anti-party activities by certain members of the Kwankwasiya Movement led to the expulsion of key figures, including Kwankwaso himself and Elder Buba Galadima, a decision that has not been reversed.
Therefore, the NNPP ticket for 2027 is now open to all eligible members, a stark contrast to the 2023 election when it was exclusively awarded to Kwankwaso. The party is already observing interest from prospective presidential aspirants, including two from the NNPP diaspora, and remains open to welcoming more candidates and potential alliances.
Featured snippet paragraph: The NNPP has declared that Rabiu Kwankwaso will not be allowed to contest the party’s 2027 presidential ticket due to disagreements and his expulsion from the party alongside other Kwankwasiya Movement members following anti-party activities after the 2023 elections.
Olaposi further indicated that the NNPP is receptive to collaborations with other political parties that share similar ideologies for the 2027 elections. He dismissed as laughable any suggestion that Kwankwaso would demand a presidential ticket from any party he might consider defecting to, such as the APC.
The NNPP National Secretary also questioned Kwankwaso’s perceived electoral strength, suggesting that his influence is not as potent as that of President Bola Tinubu nationwide. Olaposi specifically pointed to Kwankwaso’s alleged one million votes in Kano State as an overestimation of his current sway in the region.
He elaborated that Kwankwaso’s influence in Kano State is currently overrated, as many strategic members of the Kwankwasiya Movement have already shifted their allegiance to the APC. This defection, according to Olaposi, diminishes Kwankwaso’s political capital within the state.
The ruling party, APC, and President Tinubu’s advantage for the 2027 elections, Olaposi argued, is based on their performance as the incumbent government rather than any undue influence from figures like Kwankwaso.
Olaposi asserted that Kwankwaso’s past influence as a former governor of Kano State has long since waned and is unlikely to impact President Tinubu’s vote count in Kano during the 2027 elections.
He urged any political parties interested in forming an alliance with the NNPP for the 2027 elections to engage with the party’s credible National Working Committee, which has been endorsed by the courts.
Crucially, Olaposi reiterated that Kwankwaso and his associated group remain expelled from the NNPP and are therefore not in a position to negotiate on behalf of the party. All alliance decisions for 2027 will be made by the NNPP National Working Committee.
This internal party development signals a significant shift in the NNPP’s political landscape as they prepare for future electoral contests without their former presidential flagbearer.
The NNPP’s stance highlights the internal dynamics and power struggles that can shape political parties in Nigeria.
Understanding these internal party politics is key to analyzing the broader Nigerian political scene.
The NNPP’s decision to open its ticket reflects a broader trend of parties seeking new leadership and strategies for future elections.
The party’s emphasis on bonafide members underscores a focus on internal party discipline and structure.
This situation raises questions about the future of the Kwankwasiya Movement and its political trajectory.
The NNPP’s openness to alliances suggests a strategic approach to maximizing its electoral prospects in 2027.
The party’s reliance on court-endorsed leadership indicates a commitment to legal and constitutional processes.
This internal dispute within the NNPP could have implications for the opposition’s strength in the lead-up to 2027.
