The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has said it would gladly welcome the departure of its 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, if he officially joins the All Progressives Congress (APC). The party called the potential move a “huge relief” and said it’s ready to move on without him.
In a statement released on Sunday in Lagos, NNPP’s National Secretary, Mr. Oginni Olaposi, responded to reports that Kwankwaso may be in talks with the APC — especially following the sudden resignation of APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, his longtime political rival.
Though Ganduje said he stepped down for health reasons, many believe the move could be part of a plan to reconcile with Kwankwaso. But Olaposi made it clear that the NNPP is no longer interested in dealing with its former flag bearer.
“Even though this is mostly an APC matter, we can’t ignore it because Kwankwaso keeps claiming to be part of our party—even after we expelled him,” Olaposi said.
He accused Kwankwaso of trying to take over the NNPP and dragging it through unnecessary court cases. “The party logo that he changed to his personal movement’s symbol—Kwankwasiyya—was only recently restored by INEC after a long legal battle,” he added.
Reacting to rumours that Kwankwaso is in talks with the APC for a possible 2027 presidential run, Olaposi said the NNPP isn’t surprised. “It’s hard to believe someone still fighting for control of our party is also negotiating with another one. But if it’s true, we’re happy. The APC can handle his baggage better than we can.”
He also accused Kwankwaso of turning against Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the NNPP’s founder, who gave him a free platform to run for president in 2023. “He repaid that trust by trying to take the party from its own founder,” Olaposi said.
With this latest statement, the NNPP seems to be closing the door completely on Kwankwaso, who still holds sway through his Kwankwasiyya Movement, despite growing pushback and legal setbacks. If he does join the APC, it would add a new twist to his long rivalry with Ganduje and signal a fresh political shift ahead of the 2027 elections.
