By Sandra Chukwunyere
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has reacted to reports claiming that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and others have resigned from the party, describing the claim as misleading.
The party said it is surprised by the development, noting that Senator Kwankwaso, Elder Buba Galadima, and members of the former National Working Committee (NWC) led by Dr. Ahmed Ajuji had long been expelled from the NNPP.
According to the party, several court rulings—including those of the Abia State High Court, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, and the Court of Appeal in Owerri—have already confirmed their expulsion. It added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was fully involved in the legal proceedings and is aware of the judgments delivered.
The NNPP questioned how individuals who are no longer members of the party can claim to have resigned, stating that one cannot resign from a party they do not belong to.
The party also explained that its relationship with the Kwankwasiyya Movement, led by Senator Kwankwaso, was based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which has since been terminated. As a result, members of the movement ceased to be members of the NNPP once the agreement ended.
It stressed that members who are not part of the Kwankwasiyya Movement remain in good standing with the party, except those linked to the dissolved NWC led by Dr. Ajuji.
While acknowledging the right of other political parties to accept new members, the NNPP maintained that those now joining other parties were already expelled from its fold.
The party, however, confirmed that the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, formally resigned from the NNPP after being granted a pardon. It described his resignation as genuine, proper, and duly recognized.
The NNPP advised former members who held positions under the previous leadership to appear before its screening committee for clearance if they wish to return to the party.
The statement further alleged that before his move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator Kwankwaso directed members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement to collapse their structures into the ADC across various states.
It also claimed that some former party officials contributed to the internal crisis and have since vacated the party’s national secretariat.
The party raised concerns over INEC’s handling of court orders, accusing the commission of failing to comply with valid judicial decisions. It cited a ruling by Justice Bello Kawu of the FCT High Court, which reportedly directed INEC to act within 72 hours and file an affidavit of compliance, but said this order has yet to be obeyed.
The NNPP called on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to look into the matter, particularly the operations of INEC’s legal department, in order to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
The statement was also forwarded to the Chief Justice of the Federation and the Honourable Minister of Justice for their attention and necessary action.
According to the statement signed by Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday, Secretary-General, NNPP Headquarters, Abuja.
