The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) National Working Committee (NWC) has criticised former presidential candidate Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso for his recent visit to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, calling it a “deceptive ploy” connected to a contentious Abia State High Court ruling that impacts the party’s internal leadership structure.
Meeting urgently at Rockview Hotel in Apapa, Lagos, the NWC condemned Kwankwaso’s November 9 visit amid brewing crises within the NNPP.
A faction had recently expelled Kwankwaso, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, and other members of the Kwankwasiya group, with increasing calls from the Kano State chapter urging the governor to curb Kwankwaso’s influence.
In a statement on Sunday, NNPP National Publicity Secretary Abdulrasalam Abdulrazaq clarified, “Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiya group members were expelled from the party, and any attempt by the expelled members to represent the national executive is an act of ‘irresponsibility and impersonation.’”
The NWC argued that those expelled members hold no recognised positions within the NNPP, rendering their claims to leadership invalid.
The controversy follows a recent court order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to shift the party’s administration to the Board of Trustees, led by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, as per the NNPP’s 2022 constitution.
The NWC cautioned Governor Otti to remain neutral in the NNPP’s internal matters, warning against Kwankwaso’s alleged attempts to “destabilise” the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Governor Otti is a democrat, who respects the rule of law, and we trust he understands the separation of powers,” the statement affirmed.
The NWC further accused Kwankwaso of stirring internal discord since joining the party in 2022, asserting that his actions aimed to “hijack” the NNPP for personal gain, allegedly betraying the founders’ trust.
The committee advised Kwankwaso to pursue any grievances with the court’s decision legally, instead of resorting to political tactics.
They also criticised his recent remarks to newly appointed police officers in Abia, noting that his call for “a fear of God” contradicted his political conduct, especially within the NNPP and in Kano State.
