NNPP Not Joining Kwankwaso’s Defection To ADC — Aniebonam

The founder of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Boniface Aniebonam, has declared that members of the party are not part of the planned defection of former presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Aniebonam made this known in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos, insisting that only members of the Kwankwasiyya movement loyal to Kwankwaso may follow him to the ADC.

“We are not joining ADC; most of our members in Kano State went to the APC. Only members of the Kwankwasiyya movement left may join their leader in the ADC,” he said.

His comments followed Kwankwaso’s announcement of his resignation from the NNPP with immediate effect. The former Kano State governor said his decision was driven by the need for “strategic realignment” in response to the evolving political landscape.

“I seize this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the honour and privilege of serving as the NNPP 2023 presidential candidate. As a committed and bona fide member of the party, this was not an easy decision to make,” Kwankwaso stated.

He added that he would formally join the ADC on Monday, March 30, in pursuit of a platform he believes offers a better chance of effecting national change.

However, Aniebonam dismissed any suggestion that the NNPP would serve as a fallback option for Kwankwaso, stressing that the party would not readmit him under any circumstances.

“The NNPP will not accept Kwankwaso back into its fold nor allow him to ever fly our flag again for whatever position,” he said.

The NNPP founder also criticised a memo issued by former National Chairman, Ahmed Ajuji, which urged party members to remain in their positions and continue party activities amid the leadership crisis.

According to Aniebonam, Ajuji and key figures in the Kwankwasiyya movement, including Kwankwaso and Buba Galadima, had long been expelled from the party, adding that court rulings had affirmed their expulsion.

“Ajuji and members of the Kwankwasiyya movement, including Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima, have long been expelled from the NNPP. We won our cases in court against them. Ajuji, therefore, cannot tell us what to do,” he said.

He further claimed that most NNPP members in Kano State, including Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, had defected to the All Progressives Congress due to protracted internal disputes.

Aniebonam said the party was relieved by Kwankwaso’s exit, expressing optimism that it would restore peace within the NNPP after years of internal wrangling.

“We are actually relieved to see Kwankwaso join a new party, as that will usher in the peace that had long eluded members since he began moves to hijack the NNPP,” he said.

He added that the party had commenced consultations ahead of the 2027 presidential election and would ensure a transparent primary process for all aspirants.

“We will not make the same mistakes again. The NNPP is willing to accept members who defected to other parties back into its fold, but never those expelled for anti-party activities,” he stated.

Aniebonam also noted that while the party remained open to alliances with like-minded political groups, such decisions would be taken collectively by members in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.