New Chairman of Nigeria’s NNPP dismisses Kwankwaso’s membership
In a recent interview on Trust TV’s Daily Politics, the new National Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major, made it crystal clear that Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, is no longer affiliated with the party. According to Gilbert, Kwankwaso officially ceased to be a member of the NNPP back in 2023, and the party has since moved on without him. Gilbert emphasized that there are more pressing matters to focus on than discussing Kwankwaso’s past involvement with the party, stating, “He’s gone by the provisions of the constitution of our party, and by the declarations that have been made across several courts of the land – the Abia high court judgement as well as the recent FCT high court.”
Defections and the impact on NNPP
Commenting on the recent wave of defections within major opposition political parties in Nigeria, including the NNPP, Gilbert expressed his views on the departure of members associated with the Kwankwasiyya movement. He noted that those who defected did so due to their dissatisfaction with the way the movement was being managed, rather than having any issues with the NNPP itself. Gilbert stated that despite the loss of some key figures, including a Senator and two members of the House of Representatives, the departures were not a direct reflection of dissatisfaction with the NNPP as a whole. He highlighted the importance of maintaining relationships with those who have left, emphasizing that they are still considered friends of the party. Gilbert further explained that the flexibility of democracy allows politicians to switch parties if they are no longer comfortable, and in this case, it was the management of the Kwankwasiyya movement that led to the defections.
Not bothered by Kwankwaso’s movements
When asked about Kwankwaso’s potential alliances with other political parties or his relationship with the presidency, Gilbert remained unfazed, stating that Kwankwaso’s actions were of no concern to the NNPP. He emphasized that Kwankwaso had been out of the party since 2023 and had no relevance to their current operations. Gilbert made it clear that the NNPP was focused on more important matters that would enhance their functioning and operational capacity, rather than dwelling on past affiliations with individuals who are no longer associated with the party. With a nonchalant attitude towards Kwankwaso’s movements, Gilbert reiterated that the former member was free to align himself with any party of his choice, as the NNPP had no intentions of engaging with him in the future.
