The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has ruled out the possibility of its 2023 presidential candidate, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, contesting on the party’s platform in the 2027 presidential election.

The National Secretary of the party, Mr. Ogini Olaposi, made this known in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos.

Olaposi said the NNPP’s 2027 presidential ticket would be open only to bona fide members seeking to contest the presidency and other elective positions.

He explained that Kwankwaso, who flew the party’s flag in the 2023 election, would not be permitted to do so in 2027 due to disagreements between the NNPP and the Kwankwasiya Movement.

According to Olaposi, the NNPP entered into a Memorandum of Association with the Kwankwasiya Movement in 2022, which expired after the 2023 general elections.

“Anti-party activities by some members of the Kwankwasiya Movement after the presidential election led to the expulsion of top members, including Kwankwaso, Elder Buba Galadima, and others. This expulsion has not been reversed,” he said.

“The NNPP ticket for 2027 is open to all members, unlike in 2023, when it was solely given to Kwankwaso.

“Already, we have intending presidential aspirants, including two from the NNPP diaspora, and we are open to more, including alliances.

“The NNPP is open to collaborations with sister political parties that share similar ideologies in 2027.”

Olaposi described as laughable claims attributed to Kwankwaso that any party he might join, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), must offer him its presidential ticket.

“Kwankwaso does not have the selling capacity of President Bola Tinubu nationwide, with his alleged one million votes in Kano State,” he said.

“Kwankwaso’s influence in Kano State is overrated at the moment, as many strategic members of the Kwankwasiya Movement have already defected to the APC.

“President Tinubu and the APC’s selling point for 2027 is performance as the ruling party, not undue influence.

“Kwankwaso’s influence as a former Governor of Kano State is long gone and cannot affect Tinubu’s votes in Kano State in 2027.”

Olaposi urged political parties seeking alliances with the NNPP in 2027 to engage only with the party’s credible National Working Committee, which he said had been endorsed by the courts.

“Kwankwaso and his group remain expelled and cannot negotiate on behalf of the NNPP. The NNPP National Working Committee will decide all alliances in 2027,” he added.