The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has criticized former presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s recent visit to Abia State Governor Alex Otti, labeling it a “deceptive ploy” tied to a court ruling affecting the party’s leadership. During an emergency meeting in Lagos, the NNPP’s National Working Committee (NWC) condemned the November 9 visit and stressed that Kwankwaso, along with other expelled members, no longer holds any official position within the party.
The NNPP has been grappling with internal strife, highlighted by the expulsion of Kwankwaso, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, and the Kwankwasiya faction. Recently, the Abia State High Court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize the NNPP’s Board of Trustees (BoT), led by party founder Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, as its legitimate leadership under the party’s 2022 constitution.
In a statement by NNPP National Publicity Secretary Abdulrasalam Abdulrazaq, the party warned Governor Otti against involvement in its internal disputes and accused Kwankwaso of attempting to “destabilize” the party ahead of the 2027 elections. The NWC also criticized Kwankwaso for his recent address to new police officers in Abia, calling his plea for a “fear of God” hypocritical in light of his alleged attempts to “hijack” the party.
The NWC reaffirmed Dr. Aniebonam’s position as BoT chairman and stated that the expulsions of Kwankwaso and his supporters are final, marking a step toward restoring peace in the NNPP. The committee emphasized that INEC alone has the authority to challenge the court’s decision and urged Kwankwaso to pursue legal avenues rather than political strategies.
