The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has clarified that its 2023 presidential candidate and national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has not endorsed the defection of any party member.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, made the statement on Wednesday during an interview on Prime Time, a programme broadcast on Arise Television.
Johnson explained that Kwankwaso’s remarks had been misinterpreted and deliberately taken out of context to suggest support for a planned move to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Addressing circulating reports that the former Kano State governor had supposedly backed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and other NNPP members in leaving the party, Johnson insisted that these claims were false.
“Let me be clear: he did not endorse any defection, directly or indirectly,” Johnson said.
He added, “It was wrongly reported that he had reversed his position and supported the governor’s purported move to the APC. That is not true, and this is why we had to clarify the matter.”
Johnson stressed that Kwankwaso’s statements were distorted to create the false impression of his approval for defections.
He further emphasized that the NNPP leader had not authorised anyone to speak on his behalf in relation to such moves.
While acknowledging that party members are free to leave if they choose, Johnson warned that they must not associate Kwankwaso’s name with their decision.
“That is why I made it clear: if members wish to depart, they don’t need to drag his name into it,” Johnson said.
“They should not tell people in Kano that Kwankwaso supports their actions. They can make their moves quietly if they believe they are heading to greener pastures,” he added.
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