The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has formally ruled out Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as a contender for its 2027 presidential ticket, asserting that only bona fide party members are eligible to contest. The announcement came through the party’s National Secretary, Ogini Olaposi, in Lagos on Sunday, January 11.
Olaposi clarified that, unlike in 2023 when Kwankwaso automatically received the party’s nomination, the next presidential selection will be open to all qualified NNPP members. The decision stems from unresolved disputes between the party and the Kwankwasiyya Movement, which severed its affiliation with the NNPP after the last general election.
“Kwankwaso, who represented the NNPP in 2023, will not be allowed to do so again in 2027 because of the disagreements between the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya Movement,” Olaposi stated.
The National Secretary added that a Memorandum of Association signed between the two groups in 2022 expired following the 2023 elections. Post-election actions by some Kwankwasiyya members, deemed anti-party, led to the expulsion of key figures, including Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima, which remains in force.
NNPP is actively preparing for 2027, with potential presidential aspirants already emerging, including two members based abroad. Olaposi emphasized that the party remains open to additional candidates and alliances with parties that share similar political ideologies.
“We already have individuals showing interest in contesting for the presidency in 2027, including two NNPP members in the diaspora. We remain open to more aspirants as well as possible alliances,” he noted.
Responding to Kwankwaso’s claim that any party he joins must offer him its presidential ticket, Olaposi dismissed the statement as unrealistic. He further questioned Kwankwaso’s national appeal, contrasting it with President Bola Tinubu’s reach, and argued that the senator’s influence in Kano State has declined, noting that many prominent Kwankwasiyya figures have already defected to the APC.
The NNPP secretary also stressed that Tinubu’s potential 2027 advantage would stem from governance and performance, rather than intimidation or local political networks. He maintained that Kwankwaso’s tenure as governor would not affect Tinubu’s voter base in Kano.
Regarding future alliances, Olaposi clarified that only the NNPP’s National Working Committee (NWC) holds the authority to negotiate with other parties. Kwankwaso and his supporters, he said, are excluded from any official decision-making within the party.
This announcement coincides with reports that Kwankwaso is being courted by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following his recent statement in Kano indicating openness to joining any opposition coalition willing to offer him the presidential or vice-presidential ticket. Speculation is also swirling around Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf potentially considering a defection, highlighting a growing reshuffle in the state’s political landscape.
Commentary: The NNPP’s firm stance demonstrates an effort to consolidate internal discipline and prevent individual ambitions from undermining the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections. Analysts suggest that barring Kwankwaso could help the party present a clear, unified front while allowing emerging leaders, including diaspora members, to gain prominence. This move also underscores the growing fragmentation and realignment of political forces in Kano, a key state with significant influence on national electoral outcomes.
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