Kwankwaso’s Exit Welcomed by NNPP Faction: ‘He Tried to Hijack the Party’
The Agbo Major-led faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has said Rabiu Kwankwaso, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, is free to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing him of betrayal and attempts to hijack the party.
The statement comes amid reports that Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano, is negotiating his return to the APC following the resignation of his longtime rival, Abdullahi Ganduje, as national chairman of the ruling party.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Oginni Olaposi, spokesperson for the Major-led faction, said Kwankwaso’s departure would be “good riddance.”
“Kwankwaso still insists he is a member of our party even after his expulsion for alleged anti-party activities,” the statement reads.
“Kwankwaso did not only try to hijack the NNPP, but also made the party go through avoidable litigations.”
“The NNPP logo that he changed to the Kwankwasiya Movement logo has just been changed to our logo by INEC, after years of controversy and litigations.”
“Kwankwaso betrayed our trust in him by trying to hijack the party from its founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, who facilitated his free ticket for the 2023 presidential election.”
The faction also cast doubt on reports linking Ganduje’s resignation to a potential reconciliation with Kwankwaso.
“We find it difficult to believe that Kwankwaso, who is still struggling to hijack the NNPP, is also negotiating to join the ruling party,” Olaposi added.
Kwankwaso and Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf are aligned with the Ajuji Ahmed-led faction, which has been embroiled in a leadership tussle with Major’s camp since 2023.
