The national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has restated his commitment to the party, dismissing speculations that he was preparing to defect to another platform.
Speaking at the NNPP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, Kwankwaso assured members that he remained firmly with the party.
“But let me take this opportunity to tell you that we have our party, and we are comfortable. We are happy. We are ready to do whatever it takes because we are not in a hurry,” he said.
The former Kano State governor explained that many people attended the meeting to hear from him due to fake news suggesting he was set to take a critical decision about his political future.
Kwankwaso stressed that any alliance ahead of the 2027 elections would not be his personal decision but a collective one.
“If there will be any negotiation, it will be collective. It will not be only for the negotiators but for the entire members of this NNPP family. The fact remains that there is nobody in Kwankwasia today that I know, or even in NNPP, who is saying that, ‘yes, I want to go,’” he said.
Advising against political distractions, he added:
“Those people don’t understand, and they don’t have much experience. They believe that they know when they actually don’t know. Even if they are interested in knowing, I think they should come and ask one of us.”
Kwankwaso also recalled losing the Kano governorship in 2003 despite being an incumbent due to public support for the late President Muhammadu Buhari. He later regained the seat in 2011, which he described as “a good lesson for everybody.”
According to him, Nigerians already know the direction of the 2027 polls, adding that “reality will determine the people’s votes.”
The NNPP National Chairman, Dr Ajuji Ahmed, described the party as “the beautiful bride of Nigerian politics and democracy,” insisting it was waxing stronger ahead of the 2027 elections. He urged citizens to register for their permanent voter cards.
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, represented by his deputy, Aminu Gwarzo, said despite several plots against the NNPP, the party was thriving under Kwankwaso’s leadership. He claimed the party won two recent by-elections in Kano but was denied victory, expressing confidence that the mandate would be reclaimed.
The party’s 2023 Vice Presidential candidate, Bishop Isaac Idahosa, said the NNPP was gaining momentum and “focused direction” under Kwankwaso, positioning it for success in 2027.
Highlights of the NEC meeting included the appointment of caretaker committees for Kogi, Gombe, Taraba, and Jigawa states, as well as the extension of the Lagos State chairman’s tenure. The event was attended by NEC-elected officers and an INEC observer team.
