The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has officially stated that its 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, will not be contesting the 2027 presidential election under its platform. This announcement was made by the NNPP National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, in a statement released on Saturday.
Okay.ng reports that Dr. Major’s declaration comes amid circulating claims by Buba Galadima, who asserted that Kwankwaso intends to remain within the NNPP and run for president in 2027. Galadima further denied rumors suggesting Kwankwaso’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating, “We would strategically stay in the NNPP until the whistle is blown for 2027 politics,” and urged Nigerians to support Kwankwaso’s presidential ambition.
However, Dr. Agbo Major firmly rejected these claims, emphasizing that both Kwankwaso and Galadima have long been expelled from the party due to anti-party activities. “The NNPP had long expelled Kwankwaso and Galadima and so, they no longer speak for us nor can they use our platform for any political contest,” he said.
He recounted that the party’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Kwankwasiya Movement, which Kwankwaso led, ended shortly after the 2023 election. The chairman highlighted that Kwankwaso’s tenure within the party was marked by internal strife, including litigation and attempts to hijack party leadership by changing the party logo to the Kwankwasiya logo. “It was the court’s interventions that led to INEC changing back to our Logo that they submitted after a Kangaroo convention in Abuja,” Dr. Major explained.
He further warned that Kwankwaso should not expect another “free ticket” for the 2027 election as he had in 2023, stating, “Certainly, Kwankwaso can never join any political party where he will not have the chance of leadership.” The chairman described Kwankwaso’s political ambition as “dead on arrival,” asserting that he lacks the pedigree to compete with President Bola Tinubu.
Dr. Major also stressed that while Kwankwaso has the right to contest for any office, he must do so independently without involving the NNPP in his disputes. He revealed that the party is currently engaging with other aspirants and will follow due constitutional processes to select its 2027 presidential candidate. “We will no longer handover our ticket on a platter of gold, and definitely not to someone who betrayed our trust and is no longer on the party,” he added.
Finally, Dr. Major urged Nigerians to disregard any statements from Kwankwaso and his group that claim to represent the NNPP, emphasizing the party’s commitment to constructive criticism rather than personal attacks. “NNPP has moved on and can’t be dragged into unnecessary controversies again,” he concluded.
