The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has categorically disassociated itself from any future presidential ambition of its 2023 flagbearer, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, stating that he no longer has the party’s platform to contest in the 2027 general election.
This stance was made clear in a statement released on Saturday by the NNPP National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major.
Dr. Agbo’s comments followed remarks by Buba Galadima, a close ally of Kwankwaso, who claimed that the former Kano State governor would remain in the NNPP and contest the 2027 presidency under its banner. Galadima had dismissed rumours of Kwankwaso defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and encouraged Nigerians to support his presidential ambition.
However, Dr. Agbo rejected Galadima’s assertions, stating firmly that both Kwankwaso and Galadima had long been expelled from the NNPP for what he described as anti-party conduct. He emphasized that they have no authority to speak on behalf of the party or make use of its platform in any future political contest.
According to Dr. Agbo, the party’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Kwankwasiya Movement—which Kwankwaso leads—expired shortly after the 2023 election. Since then, he said, the NNPP has severed all ties with the group, blaming them for creating internal discord and leading the party into needless legal disputes. Among the grievances cited was the replacement of the party’s official logo with that of the Kwankwasiya Movement—a decision reversed only after a legal intervention and directive from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Dr. Agbo accused Kwankwaso of attempting to hijack the party’s leadership for personal gain and stated that he appeared to be hoping for another free presidential ticket, similar to the one he received in 2023. That, he insisted, would not happen again.
“Certainly, Kwankwaso can never join any political party where he will not have the chance of leadership,” Dr. Agbo asserted. “Kwankwaso and his group remain expelled and we will not readmit them because they betrayed our trust massively. He does not have the pedigree to match President Tinubu in any contest and so his ambition is dead on arrival.”
While acknowledging Kwankwaso’s right as a Nigerian to seek elective office, Dr. Agbo said he must do so outside of the NNPP. He warned that the party would not be dragged into any personal political vendettas, particularly those aimed at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Dr. Agbo further revealed that the party has already started receiving overtures from new aspirants ahead of the 2027 elections and vowed that whoever emerges as the party’s presidential candidate would do so through a transparent and constitutional process. He also reiterated that the NNPP would no longer hand out presidential tickets “on a platter of gold,” especially to individuals who previously undermined the party’s integrity.
Calling on the public to ignore any inflammatory remarks made by Kwankwaso or his allies in the name of the NNPP, the chairman said: “The NNPP as a party believes in constructive criticisms of issues and not against personalities or other political parties. We advise Kwankwaso to float his own party and use it for his own agenda.”
He concluded by asserting that the NNPP had moved on and would not allow itself to be dragged back into needless political controversies.
What you should know
Rabiu Kwankwaso, once the NNPP’s presidential candidate, has been formally expelled from the party due to internal conflicts and alleged attempts to hijack its leadership.
The NNPP leadership insists he cannot contest on their platform again and urges him to form a new political party if he wishes to pursue the presidency in 2027.
