A faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has declared that Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State, will not be considered for the party’s presidential ticket in the 2027 general election.
Ogini Olaposi, the factional national secretary of the party, made the position known in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to Olaposi, the NNPP’s presidential ticket for 2027 will be open strictly to bona fide members of the party who are interested in contesting elective offices.
He said Kwankwaso, who was the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, is no longer eligible due to unresolved disputes between the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Olaposi explained that the memorandum of understanding signed between the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya movement in 2022 expired after the general election.
He added that alleged anti-party activities by some members of the movement after the presidential polls led to the expulsion of several key figures, including Kwankwaso and Buba Galadima, noting that the expulsions remain in effect.
“The NNPP ticket for 2027 is open to all qualified party members, unlike in 2023 when it was exclusively given to Kwankwaso,” Olaposi said.
He disclosed that the party already has several presidential aspirants, including two from the diaspora, and remains open to additional aspirants as well as political alliances.
Olaposi also dismissed claims by Kwankwaso regarding his political influence, describing them as exaggerated.
He argued that Kwankwaso lacks nationwide appeal and does not possess the electoral strength to challenge President Bola Tinubu, adding that the former Kano governor’s influence in the state has diminished following the defection of several Kwankwasiyya loyalists to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him, the APC’s prospects in the 2027 election will be driven by its performance in government rather than individual political influence.
Olaposi further stated that any political party seeking collaboration with the NNPP ahead of the 2027 polls must engage with the party’s recognised national working committee, which he said has judicial backing.
He maintained that Kwankwaso and his group remain expelled from the party and therefore have no authority to negotiate on its behalf.
