The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigerian public to disregard the purported congresses announced by the Kwankwasiyya Movement, led by former presidential candidate Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The party described the move as unconstitutional and ineffective.
In a statement issued on Monday, the NNPP National Secretary, Mr Ogini Olaposi, said the party’s authentic, court-ordered congresses had already been held and concluded in line with legal directives.
His reaction came after the Kwankwaso-led faction wrote to INEC notifying the commission of its intention to conduct fresh congresses and a national convention for the NNPP from 25 November 2024 to January 2026. The NNPP leadership, however, insists that the group has no authority to undertake such an exercise.
According to the party, the Memorandum of Association signed with the Kwankwasiyya Movement ahead of the 2023 presidential election had long expired. It stressed that the arrangement only served to provide Kwankwaso with a platform to contest the presidency and did not give the group permanent influence over party structures.
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The statement further noted that Kwankwaso and several members of his movement remain expelled from the NNPP over alleged anti-party activities. “We are still amazed that a man of Kwankwaso’s standing will insist on hijacking a party that gave him a soft landing to contest the 2023 presidential election for free,” the NNPP said.
The party maintained that any congress organised by the Kwankwasiyya faction would be illegal, null and void, warning INEC against recognising the process. It called on the electoral body to uphold court rulings and ensure that only the legitimate leadership of the NNPP is reflected on its official website and records.
The NNPP reiterated its commitment to internal democracy and lawful political conduct, emphasising that it will not tolerate attempts to undermine its structures or violate its constitution.
