- Aniebonam insisted that the NNPP as a political structure would not move with him
- Aniebonam said the party has moved forward and has already begun engaging potential aspirants ahead of the 2027 presidential election
- He further stressed that the NNPP would not consider re-admitting Kwankwaso or allowing him to represent the party in future elections
The founder of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Boniface Aniebonam, has said party members will not follow Rabiu Kwankwaso to the African Democratic Congress following his exit from the party.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Aniebonam made the statement on Sunday in Lagos while reacting to Kwankwaso’s resignation from the NNPP, where he was the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.
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Kwankwaso had announced his departure from the party, citing the need to align with a new political platform he believes offers a stronger opportunity to drive change in Nigeria. He is expected to formally join the ADC on March 30.
However, Aniebonam insisted that the NNPP as a political structure would not move with him, noting that only a limited number of his loyalists within the Kwankwasiyya movement may choose to defect alongside him.
He added that several members of the group had already dispersed to other political parties, including the All Progressives Congress.
The NNPP founder also dismissed a directive reportedly issued by Ahmed Ajuji, which urged members to remain in their current positions within the party.
According to Aniebonam, Ajuji and other figures linked to the Kwankwasiyya faction had earlier been expelled from the NNPP following court rulings, and therefore lack the authority to issue instructions on behalf of the party.
He further stressed that the NNPP would not consider re-admitting Kwankwaso or allowing him to represent the party in future elections.
Aniebonam said the party has moved forward and has already begun engaging potential aspirants ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Reflecting on the 2023 polls, he noted that the party had drawn important lessons and would ensure that future candidates emerge through transparent internal processes rather than automatic endorsements.
While wishing Kwankwaso success in his new political journey, Aniebonam maintained that the NNPP remains open to alliances with like-minded political parties, adding that any such decisions would be made collectively by its members ahead of the next general elections.
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