By Samuel Solomon
Ogini Olaposi, the factional national secretary of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), says Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former Kano governor, will not be allowed to contest the party’s presidential ticket in 2027.
According Olaposi, in a press statement on Sunday, said the NNPP’s 2027 ticket would be open only to “bona fide members” seeking to run for president and other elective offices.
Olaposi said Kwankwaso, who was the party’s presidential candidate in 2023, would not be considered again because of disputes between the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya movement.
He added that the NNPP entered into a memorandum of association with the Kwankwasiyya movement in 2022, which expired after the general election.
“Anti-party activities by some members of the Kwankwasiyya movement after the presidential elections led to the expulsion of the top members, including Kwankwaso, Elder Buba Galadima, and others, which has not been reversed,” he said.
“The NNPP ticket for 2027 is open to all members, unlike in 2023 when it was solely given to Kwankwaso.
“Already, we have intending presidential aspirants, including two from the NNPP diaspora, and we are open to more, including alliances.
“The NNPP is open to collaborations with sister political parties that have similar ideologies in 2027.
“It is laughable that Kwankwaso is saying that if he must decamp to any political party, including the APC, they must offer him their presidential ticket.
“Kwankwaso does not have the selling capacity like President Bola Tinubu nationwide, with his alleged one million votes in Kano state.
“Kwankwaso’s influence in Kano state is overrated at the moment because many strategic members of the Kwankwasiyya movement have already defected to the APC.
“President Tinubu and the APC’s selling point for 2027 is based on performance as the ruling party and not undue influence.
“Kwankwaso’s influence as a former governor of Kano state is long gone and cannot affect Tinubu’s votes in Kano state in 2027.”
Olaposi added that political parties seeking alliances with the NNPP in 2027 should engage with the party’s “credible national working committee (NWC), endorsed by the courts”.
