2027: I’m not leaving NNPP, but… — Kwankwaso

The national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has denied reports that he is leaving the NNPP for another party.

The former Kano State governor, who stated this while addressing delegates at the 9th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party, which was held on Tuesday at the Bolingo Hotel, Abuja, however, added that NNPP is ready to work with anybody but added that the party is doing well, respected and loved by Nigerians.

Kwankwaso confirmed that he has been approached by various individuals about joining different political parties, while others have urged him to remain where he is.

He expressed that he feels encouraged and convinced by the loyalty of party members, particularly the less privileged, who are committed to the ideals of the NNPP and their overwhelming support across Nigeria reassures him of their dedication.

While adding that the NNPP is open to negotiate with anybody as far as 2027 is concerned, Kwankwaso said it is going to be the collective decision of every member of the party whatever decisions to take as the political situation gather momentum.

He said, “We’ve very loyal and powerful leadership and have membership in Kwankwasiyya and NNPP. Anytime I sat down and listened to people, some would come and say, go to A, some will say go to B or C and others would come and say stay where you are and so on and so forth. But the fact remains that there is nobody in Kwankwasiyya today that I know and even in NNPP, that are not loyal to the party and the leadership. People are loyal to the party as previously said by other speakers.

“We are open, we’re ready to talk to anybody who will want to us to work together for 2027. But the fact remains that this party is not my party, it’s not the chairman’s party, it’s not the party for those of us in this hall, it’s for Nigerians. Everybody is free to come in. We are working so hard and we are happy with our members wherever they are in this country for their commitment and loyalty.

“And I want to assure you that the leadership will not fail. We’ll be fair and we’ll continue to ensure that there’s fairness for everybody and I believe that more and more people are coming. If there is anything, if there is any request, it will be collective and not only for the negotiators but for the entire members of this family, the NNPP.

“But rest assured that this leadership that you see will never fail you. We’ll negotiate anywhere we are going if we have to go somewhere. But for now, we are in NNPP. We are moving towards 2027 and we are so happy with ourselves especially with the experiences that we had in the past.

He added, “I’ve worked with few people over the years with my days as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1992. We worked very hard with the leadership of Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, worked for (MKO) Abiola who are SDP stock. My house and that of (Bashir) Tofa of blessed memory is just within short distance. We worked with leaders in our party and that time party is supreme.

“And we’ll continue to ensure that this our party (NNPP) is also supreme. I’m sure you from Kano know my house in Gwandu, Bashir Tofa house in Gwandu. Abiola won in Kano in our polling unit, in our ward, in our local government, in the state and Northern Nigeria. We are loyal to the party and since then we started building.

“Let me congratulate the chairman and the National Working Committee because I’m aware that they are getting a lot of commendations. Even recently, the Republican Institute rated our party as the best in Lagos. I’m also aware that while other parties are getting bad rating from countries across the world, our party, the NNPP is moving fine and remain very strong and powerful. Let me say that we’ll continue to move forward. If there is any information, we will quickly try and let you know about any progress on what to do and what not to do.

The national chairman of the party, Dr Ajuji Ahmed, in his earlier remarks, praised the leadership role Kwankwaso has displayed in making NNPP to stand out as the pillar of party politics in Nigeria and also transforming it to a formidable political party in the country. Ajuji revealed that Kwankwaso will also be the presidential candidate of the party in 2027.

“I want to pay a special tribute to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, our visionary leader, a former Governor of the State, former Minister of Defence, former diplomat and former presidential candidate of our great party in the 2023, and insha Allah, the next presidential candidate of our party in 2027.

“A man of indefatigable endeavour with stupendous political sagacity, Engineer Kwankwaso’s leadership has made NNPP to stand out as the pillar of party politics in Nigeria. We acknowledge with gratitude the pivotal role he is playing in transforming NNPP to a formidable political party in the country,” the party chairman stated.

The event was graced by members of the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, federal and state lawmakers, state party chairmen among others.

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