The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has said that it would be a significant relief for the party’s members if former Kano State governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, officially joins the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

This was stated by NNPP National Secretary, Mr. Oginni Olaposi, during a press briefing in Lagos on Sunday. He was reacting to the recent resignation of APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, and the growing speculation that Kwankwaso may be preparing to defect to the ruling party.

 

Ganduje stepped down on Friday, citing health reasons. However, Olaposi dismissed that narrative, suggesting the resignation may be part of a broader political arrangement aimed at facilitating Kwankwaso’s entry into the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

 

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

“He not only tried to hijack the NNPP but also dragged the party into avoidable litigations.”

 

Olaposi also accused Kwankwaso of undermining the identity of the party, claiming he unilaterally replaced the NNPP’s logo with the emblem of his Kwankwasiya Movement. According to him, the party had just recently regained its original logo following intervention from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

 

“The NNPP Logo that he changed to the Kwankwasiya Movement Logo has just been changed back to our Logo by INEC, after years of controversy and legal battles,” Olaposi stated.

 

Addressing the speculation that Ganduje’s resignation was linked to a backroom deal with Kwankwaso, Olaposi expressed skepticism.

 

“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.”

 

He also referenced Ganduje’s past comments welcoming defectors to the APC, saying the party has always left its doors open to former members.

 

“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 concluded by stating that many NNPP members would be pleased to see Kwankwaso exit the party entirely.

 

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

“He betrayed our trust by attempting to seize control of the party from its founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, who gave him a free presidential ticket in 2023.”

 

As 2027 draws nearer, political alignments continue to shift, and Kwankwaso’s next move will be closely watched — both within his former party and across the national political landscape.