NNPP Warns NDC Against Picking Kwankwaso as Obi’s Running Mate

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has warned the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) against choosing Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso as the running mate to its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 general election.

The NNPP alleged that Kwankwaso could eventually turn against the NDC, citing his political differences with the party after he contested the 2023 presidential election on its platform.

The party’s National Secretary-General, Ogini Olaposi, made the remarks in a statement on Monday, describing the reported choice of Kwankwaso as Obi’s running mate as a “gross mistake.”

Olaposi said the NDC ought to have considered Kwankwaso’s political antecedents before settling for him as Obi’s running mate.

“This is why political parties must be careful of who they choose as running mates and flag bearers,” he said.

According to him, Kwankwaso benefited from the opportunity provided by the NNPP to contest the 2023 presidential election but later became embroiled in political differences with the party.

Olaposi claimed that the NNPP provided Kwankwaso with a platform and a presidential ticket at a time when his political options were limited, arguing that the opportunity contributed to his current position in negotiations surrounding the 2027 election.

“The rare opportunity NNPP gave to Kwankwaso in 2023, in addition to a free ticket, is what has brought him to the frontline of negotiations at the presidential level in Nigeria at the moment,” he said.

The NNPP official further alleged that Kwankwaso’s actions contributed to the party’s internal crisis and the departure of some members.

“We will not forget in a hurry how he destroyed the party, leading to our members leaving in droves. He will betray the NDC in the same manner shortly,” Olaposi alleged.

He also rejected claims that the NNPP had been handed over to Kwankwaso by its founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam.

Olaposi described such claims as “preposterous and unthinkable,” arguing that the party remained a registered political organisation and that its original certificate of registration had not been handed over.

On the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso ticket, Olaposi said Obi’s popularity alone would not guarantee victory for the NDC in 2027.

He argued that voters would also consider the political record and antecedents of the vice-presidential candidate, given that the running mate could eventually assume the presidency under certain circumstances.

“One candidate in a party alone cannot guarantee victory. People will also look at the antecedents of the running mate because, in the event of any happenstance, the vice-president may become the president.

“Nigerians know this and the NDC will understand it at the polls,” he said.

Olaposi also dismissed the significance of large crowds at political rallies, arguing that attendance at rallies should not automatically be interpreted as electoral support.

“Pulling rented crowds at rallies is not tantamount to votes. The same crowd will be paid to be everywhere else,” he said.

The NNPP chieftain urged Seriake Dickson, whom he described as the founder of the NDC, to remain vigilant and ensure that the party’s structure was protected.

“It is our hope that Seriake Dickson, founder of NDC, shall be on the alert and ensure that his co-founders are duly activated to protect the structure of NDC from Kwankwaso,” he said.

Olaposi also appealed to NNPP members who had left the party to return ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The allegations and political predictions contained in Olaposi’s statement represent the position of the NNPP and have not been independently established. Kwankwaso and the NDC may respond to the claims.