A faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has declared that Rabiu Kwankwaso, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, is free to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) if he chooses.
The statement comes after Abdullahi Ganduje stepped down as APC national chairman on Friday, with speculation mounting that his departure was linked to plans for Kwankwaso to defect to the ruling party.
Ganduje and Kwankwaso, who were once political allies, have since become fierce rivals in Nigerian politics.
Speaking for the NNPP faction led by Agbo Major, spokesperson Oginni Olaposi said on Sunday that Kwankwaso’s exit would be “good riddance” for the party.
The faction has accused the former Kano State governor of attempting to take control of the NNPP from its rightful leadership.
“Kwankwaso still insists he is a member of our party even after his expulsion for alleged anti-party activities,” the statement reads.
“Kwankwaso did not only try 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.”
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The faction expressed scepticism about reports linking Ganduje’s resignation to negotiations with Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“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,” the statement continued.
“It is on record that Ganduje once said that APC is always ready to pardon and accommodate defectors, even those who left its fold.
“We find it difficult to believe that Kwankwaso, who is still struggling to hijack the NNPP, is also negotiating to join the ruling party.”
The NNPP has been plagued by internal disputes since the 2023 general elections, with both Major and Ajuji Ahmed claiming to be the legitimate national chairman.
The party’s troubles deepened when Kwankwaso was suspended by the board of trustees in 2023, led by party founder Dr Boniface Aniebonam. Major was subsequently appointed as chairman by this faction.
However, Kwankwaso and Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf continue to recognise the rival leadership under Ajuji.
The Major-led faction accused Kwankwaso of betraying the party’s trust after Dr Aniebonam had facilitated his presidential nomination.
“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,” the statement concluded.
