.As ADC eyes consensus option for presidential candidate — Spokesman
.I remain in NNPP -Founder
A former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has announced his resignation from the New Nigeria People’s Party, citing the need for political realignment.
Kwankwaso, who was the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday
He said, “I wish to formally announce my resignation from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) with immediate effect.”
The former governor described his exit as a difficult decision, noting his longstanding involvement with the party.
“As a committed and bonafide member of the party, this was not an easy decision to make. However, considering the current trajectory of the nation’s political landscape, which calls for strategic realignment, I have found it necessary to identify with another political platform that offers the best opportunity to effectively change the nation,” he said.
Kwankwaso expressed appreciation to the party leadership, including the National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed, and other organs of the party for their support during his time.
“I extend my deepest appreciation to the National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed and the entire National Working Committee for their steadfast support throughout my time. I also thank the Board of Trustees, the National Executive Committee, and all levels of leadership across the party — from the ward to the state level,” he stated.
He also acknowledged members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and party supporters for their commitment.
“We shall continue to collaborate and work together towards charting a better and more prosperous future for our dear nation,” he added.
Kwankwaso did not disclose the political platform he intends to join following his resignation.
It was reported that Rabiu Kwankwaso, will on Monday (tomorrow) join the African Democratic Congress.
Credible sources in the ADC and NNPP confided in our correspondent that Kwankwaso would make a formal declaration for his new party in Kano.
According to a principal official of the ADC who spoke with Sunday PUNCH on condition of anonymity on Saturday, the National Chairman and Secretary of the party, David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, respectively, will welcome the former Kano State governor into the party.
Our reporter gathered that Kwankwaso was likely to join the ADC alongside the immediate past Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo.
Recall former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, and a stalwart of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday hosted Kwankwaso, in Abuja.
Atiku, in a post via his official X handle, said that Kwankwaso was on a courtesy visit and they both had a robust discussion on the state of the country.
.As ADC eyes consensus option for presidential candidate — Spokesman
Meanwhile, The African Democratic Congress says it is considering adopting a consensus approach in selecting its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, disclosed this during an appearance on One-on-One, an Arise TV programme, on Saturday
He said the party has the options of direct primaries and consensus in choosing its flagbearer.
He noted that indirect primaries are “no longer on the table” in line with the amended Electoral Act.
According to him, the consensus option remains the preferred choice due to its cost-effectiveness.
“We are trying as much as possible to adopt the consensus approach because that is the least costly for us. For us, the best-case scenario is to be able to engineer consensus, and that’s what we are working on,” he said.
Abdullahi also criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress, arguing that the party’s cohesion is tied to its current leadership.
“If you take power out of APC, APC is actually nothing. I know the party well.
“Post Bola Tinubu, they will unravel quickly, that even they would be surprised. He is the glue holding the party together,” he said.
He described the APC as a “special purpose vehicle” created to deliver the presidencies of the late Muhammadu Buhari and Tinubu, adding that the party has largely fulfilled that purpose.
The ADC spokesperson further alleged that the ruling party was showing signs of anxiety ahead of future elections.
“In any free and fair election in Nigeria today, there’s no way APC will win.
“Why is a party with 31 governors and about 90 percent of the National Assembly still panicking? Why are they still trying to destabilise other opposition parties?
“They should be preparing for Tinubu’s win, given their overwhelming governance. But they are unsettled because they know in a free and fair election, there is no way they can win. Nigerians are tired of them,” he said.
The move comes as the ADC, which has positioned itself as a major opposition platform through a coalition of prominent politicians.
The party has been linked to figures for the 2027 presidential ticket, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, and ex-Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, among others.
No formal announcements have been made regarding specific candidacies.
.NNPP not joining Kwankwaso to ADC – Founder
However, The Founder of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Dr Boniface Aniebonam, says members of the party are not part of Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso’s planned defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Aniebonam made this known in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kwankwaso in a statement on Sunday, formally announced his resignation from the NNPP with immediate effect.
He said: “I seize this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the honour and privilege of serving as the NNPP 2023 presidential candidate.
“As a committed and bonafide member of the party, this was not an easy decision to make”
According to Kwankwaso, considering the current trajectory of the nation’s political landscape, which calls for strategic realignment, he found it necessary to identify with another political platform that offers the best opportunity to effectively change the nation.
Kwankwaso will be officially joining the ADC on Monday, March 30.
In a memo on Saturday, Dr Ahmed Ajuji, NNPP former national chairman and member of the Kwankwasiya Movement, urged the NNPP Ntionl Working Committee members, state chairmen, as well as all office holders of the party from national to ward to remain in their respective positions and continue their work within the party,.
Ajuji had said that except for those, who wished to resign and pursue other political careers, others should remain in the NNPP as there are moves to unify the party and withdraw all litigations.
Aniebonam said that in spite wishing Kwankwaso good luck in his endeavors, the NNPP would not be his fall back party if he failed in the ADC.
He said: “We are not joining ADC, most of our members in Kano state went to APC. Only members of the Kwankwasiya movement left may join their leader to the ADC.
“Ajuji and members of the Kwankwasiya movement, including Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima have long been expelled from the NNPP. We won our cases in court against them. Ajuji, therefore, cannot tell us what to do.
“Most of our members, including our sole governor, Yusuf Ahmed of Kano state, left for the APC because of our escalating court cases.
“It is, therefore, funny to see Ajuji, signing such a memo when we all know he belongs to the Kwankwasiya movement and a recognised member of the Agbo Major led NWC of the NNPP.
“The NNPP will not accept Kwankwaso back into its fold nor allow him to ever fly our flag again for whatever position.”
Aniebonam noted that from the body language, it was obvious that the few people left of the Kwankwasiya movement did not even believe in the ADC or Kwankwaso’s ability to survive there.
He said the NNPP had already begun consultations with aspirants for the 2027 presidential elections, adding that all aspirants would have to undergo the party primaries, unlike in 2023 when they handed over their presidential ticket to Kwankwaso for free and, who later betrayed them.
“We will not make the same mistakes again. The NNPP is willing to accept members, who defected to other parties back into its fold but never those expelled for anti party activities.
“We are actually relieved to see Kwankwaso join a new party as that will usher in the peace that had long eluded members, ever since Kwankwaso began his moves to hijack the NNPP.
“We are also not averse to collaborations with parties of similar ideologies but it will be decided by members in the build up to the 2027 general elections,” Aniebonam added. (NAN)
