The National Secretary of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ogini Olaposi, has declared that the political influence of the party’s former presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is overrated in Kano State and will not have any significant impact on President Bola Tinubu’s votes in the 2027 general election.
Olaposi made the assertion in a statement signed on Sunday, insisting that Kwankwaso’s relevance as a former governor of Kano State has diminished over time. According to him, the former governor no longer commands the level of grassroots support often attributed to him, particularly ahead of the next presidential contest.
The NNPP scribe stated that unlike the 2023 election, when the party’s presidential ticket was exclusively allocated to Kwankwaso, the party’s ticket for 2027 would be open and competitive.
“The NNPP ticket for 2027 is open to all members, unlike in 2023 when it was solely given to Kwankwaso,” Olaposi said.
He explained that internal disagreements and alleged anti-party activities following the 2023 presidential election led to the expulsion of several high-profile figures within the Kwankwasiyya Movement, including Kwankwaso himself and Elder Buba Galadima.
“Anti-party activities by some members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement after the presidential election led to the expulsion of top members, including Kwankwaso, Elder Buba Galadima and others, which has not been reversed,” he added.
Olaposi revealed that the NNPP is already witnessing growing interest from prospective presidential aspirants ahead of 2027, including individuals from the party’s diaspora chapters. He said the party remains open to more aspirants and possible political alliances.
“Already, we have intending presidential aspirants, including two from the NNPP diaspora, and we are open to more, including alliances,” he stated.
The NNPP national secretary further noted that the party is willing to collaborate with other political parties that share similar ideologies, as part of its broader strategy for the 2027 elections.
Olaposi dismissed claims that Kwankwaso’s alleged one million votes in Kano State would pose a threat to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), arguing that President Tinubu’s electoral strength lies in governance performance rather than individual influence.
“Kwankwaso does not have the selling capacity nationwide like President Bola Tinubu,” he said.
He added that many strategic members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement have already defected to the APC, further weakening Kwankwaso’s political base in Kano State.
“President Tinubu and the APC’s selling point for 2027 is based on performance as the ruling party and not undue influence,” Olaposi said, concluding that Kwankwaso’s era of political dominance in Kano had passed and would not affect Tinubu’s prospects in the state.
