Kwankwaso’s Betrayed Us, His Exit ‘II Be Huge Relief – NNPP

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has described the speculated move of its 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a “welcome development” that would bring relief to its members.

The party’s position was made known in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Secretary, Mr. Oginni Olaposi, in Lagos.

Olaposi’s remarks came amid swirling political speculations linking Kwankwaso’s possible defection to the recent resignation of the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who stepped down on Friday, citing health reasons.

While acknowledging that Ganduje’s resignation remains an internal APC affair, the NNPP scribe stated that the party deemed it necessary to respond due to the growing political discourse surrounding Kwankwaso’s alleged realignment with the ruling party.

He said: “Kwankwaso still insists he is a member of our party even after his expulsion for alleged anti-party activities.

“Kwankwaso did not only tried to hijack the NNPP but also made the party go through avoidable litigations.

“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.

“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.

“It is on record that Ganduje once said that APC is always ready to pardon and accommodate defectors even those who left its fold.”

Olaposi noted that the party would happy if any proposed deal between APC and Kwankwaso became a reality as the ruling party is in a better position to handle the former Kano state governor’s baggage.

“We find it difficult to believe that Kwankwaso who is still struggling to hijack the NNPP is also negotiating to join the ruling party.

“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.”