NNPP Praises Tinubu, Blasts Kwankwaso—Says He’s Unqualified for Party’s 2027 Ticket

By Jeremy Fregene
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has openly praised President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election while formally ruling out its 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, from contesting on the party’s platform.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the NNPP National Secretary, Mr. Ogini Olaposi, said Kwankwaso is no longer eligible to seek the party’s presidential ticket, insisting that he should pursue his ambition on another political platform.

Olaposi said the party’s 2027 presidential ticket would be available only to bona fide members, noting that the alliance between the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya Movement that produced Kwankwaso’s candidacy in 2023 had since collapsed.

According to him, the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Kwankwasiyya Movement in 2022 expired after the presidential election, adding that alleged anti-party activities after the polls led to the expulsion of Kwankwaso and other leaders of the movement, including elder statesman Buba Galadima.

“The expulsion of Kwankwaso and his group remains in force and has not been reversed,” Olaposi said. “The NNPP ticket for 2027 is open to all party members, unlike in 2023 when it was exclusively reserved for him.”

The NNPP secretary disclosed that the party already has several presidential aspirants, including two from its diaspora membership, and remains open to further aspirants and strategic alliances ahead of 2027.

Olaposi also dismissed claims attributed to Kwankwaso that any party seeking his membership must hand him its presidential ticket, describing such demands as unrealistic and detached from current political realities.

“Kwankwaso does not possess the nationwide selling capacity of President Bola Tinubu,” he said. “His influence in Kano State is overstated, as many key figures in the Kwankwasiyya Movement have since defected to the APC.”

He added that President Tinubu’s electoral strength for 2027 would be driven by governance performance rather than personal political networks, arguing that Kwankwaso no longer represents a threat to the ruling party’s prospects in Kano State.

“President Tinubu and the APC will campaign on performance,” Olaposi said. “Kwankwaso’s influence as a former governor of Kano State has waned significantly.”

Olaposi urged political parties seeking alliances with the NNPP ahead of the 2027 elections to engage only with the party’s recognised National Working Committee, which he said has been affirmed by the courts.

“Kwankwaso and his group remain expelled and cannot negotiate on behalf of the NNPP,” he said. “All decisions regarding alliances and candidacies for 2027 will be taken by the party’s legitimate leadership.”