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  • NNPP Re-elects Ahmed Ajuji as Chairman, Signals Major Push for 2027 Elections

    NNPP Re-elects Ahmed Ajuji as Chairman, Signals Major Push for 2027 Elections

    The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has re-elected Dr. Ahmed Ajuji as its National Chairman, a move party leaders say signals a renewed push to expand the party’s influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Ajuji was returned unopposed through a voice vote at the party’s National Convention held on Saturday in Abuja. Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present to monitor the exercise.

    The convention also saw the re-election of Dipo Olayoku as National Secretary, alongside other members of the party’s national leadership, all of whom emerged unopposed and were later affirmed by delegates.

    Speaking after his re-election, Ajuji thanked party members for the confidence reposed in the leadership and pledged that the NNPP would intensify efforts to strengthen its structures nationwide.

    He said the new leadership accepted the responsibility of steering the affairs of the party over the next four years, describing the moment as critical to the NNPP’s future.

    “Our task is clear. We must work harder, remain united and position this party to win the trust of Nigerians ahead of 2027,” Ajuji said.

    He urged national officers to treat their re-election as a call to service and to uphold the oath of office administered to them.

    “Our Flag Must Fly Higher” — Ajuji

    Earlier in his welcome address, Ajuji called on NNPP members across the country to remain hopeful and committed to the party’s vision of a united and prosperous Nigeria.

    He said the NNPP was determined to build a strong, progressive and inclusive nation, stressing that the party had been repositioned to play a leading role in Nigeria’s democratic process.

    “Our flag must fly higher across all parts of Nigeria. Nigerians want reassurance that a better country is possible, and NNPP is ready to provide that hope,” he said.

    According to him, the party’s restructuring and internal reforms have strengthened its readiness to compete nationally.

    “All eyes are on NNPP to show the way forward for sustainable democracy and development. Nigerians deserve a fresh start and a new deal,” Ajuji added.

    Kwankwaso, Abba Yusuf Back New Leadership

    The National Leader of the NNPP and former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, congratulated the re-elected national executives and urged them to remain disciplined and loyal to the party.

    Kwankwaso said the performance of the NNPP-led government in Kano State offered a clear picture of what Nigerians could expect if the party is elected into power in 2027.

    Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, described the convention as a defining moment for the party, saying it reflected the NNPP’s growing national relevance.

    He urged the new leaders to promote unity, fairness and inclusivity within the party.

    “Let this convention mark a new beginning where no one is left behind,” Yusuf said.

    NNPP Dismisses Rumours of Internal Crisis

    Chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee, Bala Mohammed, said the NNPP had recorded notable achievements in the past four years, strengthening its place in Nigeria’s political landscape.

    He explained that the convention was held to ratify key decisions of the National Executive Committee and formally elect national officers.

    “This gathering is also about reinforcing the unity and brotherhood that define us as a political family,” Mohammed said.

    The party’s National Adviser, Magaji Ibrahim, dismissed claims of division within the NNPP, insisting the party remained united under Kwankwaso’s leadership.

    “I can assure Nigerians that nothing will divide this party. We are solid and focused as we move toward 2027,” Ibrahim said.

    A major highlight of the convention was the ratification of the suspension of Article 37(1) of the NNPP Constitution (2024 as amended).

  • Kwankwaso Plans to Shrink APC’s Support in Kano by 2027

    Kwankwaso Plans to Shrink APC’s Support in Kano by 2027

    Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano State, has expressed confidence that the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) will significantly reduce the All Progressives Congress (APC) support in the state by 2027.

    During a meeting with party members in Tsanyawa LGA on Wednesday, Kwankwaso stated that the APC will receive fewer than 15,000 votes in the upcoming elections.

    READ ALSO: Nigerien Leader, Abdourahmane Tchiani accuses France of Funding Insecurity in Northern Nigeria, Says, Tinubu, Rufa’i and Ribadu are Aware

    In the 2023 gubernatorial race, the NNPP received over one million votes, surpassing the APC, which garnered nearly 891,000.

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) trailed with only around 16,000 votes.

    Despite entering the political scene late, Kwankwaso credited NNPP’s strong showing to the party’s rapid rise.

    Looking ahead, Kwankwaso urged his supporters to stay united, promising a focused effort to weaken APC’s influence and secure a win in future elections.

  • Kwankwaso, key party leaders in attendance as NNPP holds 7th NEC meeting

    Kwankwaso, key party leaders in attendance as NNPP holds 7th NEC meeting

    The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) is currently hosting its 7th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the Bolingo Hotel in Abuja, gathering major party leaders and stakeholders.
    Among the notable figures present are the national leader and former presidential candidate of the party, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and his vice-presidential running mate, Bishop Isaac Idahosa.
    Also in attendance are the party’s national chairman, Dr. Ajuji Ahmed, and members of the National Working Committee (NWC), alongside other prominent party officials.
    The meeting is expected to discuss crucial matters concerning the future of the party, particularly its strategy and direction in the current political climate.
    This NEC meeting comes at a time of reflection and reorganization for the NNPP, following its participation in the 2023 general elections, where it emerged as a significant force by winning Kano state.
    The party’s leadership will likely focus on reviewing its electoral performance, formulating policies to strengthen its influence, and addressing the future role of the NNPP in Nigerian politics.

  • 1,331 Ganduje’s kinsmen dump APC for NNPP

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on Thursday lost 1,331 members of his party to the ruling New Nigerian Peoples Party in his hometown in Kano.

     

    The defectors, who are mainly from 11 wards of Ganduje’s Dawakin-Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State vowed to work against the return of APC in the state.

     

    Prominent among the former APC leaders, who have now embraced NNPP include the former Vice Chairman of the local government, Malam Isyaku Dahiru Kwa; former state House of Assembly aspirant, Audu Magaji Tumfafi and Bashir Musa Sani, APC Youth Leader for Takai Organisation, among others.

     

    Receiving the decampees to the ruling party at a grand reception held at Dawakin-Tofa, the State Chairman of NNPP, Hashimu Dungurawa, applauded the ingenuity of the Ganduje’s kinsmen to APC.

     

    Earlier, one of the leaders of the decampees, Isyaku Dahiru Kwa, cited Ganduje’s inability to develop the local government during his eight years tenure as the major reason for their decision.

     

    Dungurawa declared that NNPP under the leadership of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is committed to entrench socio-econonic and infrastructural development in Kano.

     

    While assuring the new members of equal opportunity within the party caucus, Dungurawa dispelled the rumour of mass defection of NNPP members to APC.

     

    He maintained that NNPP is not losing grip of control of its party structure across the political wards, describing those aligning with APC as 419 struggling to collect their share of national cake from their recruiters.

     

  • 2027 Election: Labour Party and Others self-destruct

    2027 Election: Labour Party and Others self-destruct

    Apart from the New Nigeria Peoples Party, other leading players at the last election except the ruling All People’s Congress seem to be imploding, all as a result of frenzied moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

     

    For instance, both the PDP and the Labour Party, the first and second runners up at the 2023 presidential election have been neck deep in internal wranglings for no specific reasons other than the machinations of greedy party members to self destruct in favour of an individual’s ambition to conquere power in 2027.

     

    In an apparent redundant move the Labour Party has revoked the automatic tickets previously reserved for its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, for the 2027 election.

     

    The decision was made during the party’s National Executive Council meeting held on Monday, September 9, in Abuja.

     

    Following the meeting, the party’s National Working Committee, led by Julius Abure, announced that all party tickets, from the presidency to the House of Assemblies, would now be open to all qualified Nigerians.

     

    In a communique signed by the National Chairman of the party, Abure, and National Secretary, Umar Ibrahim, the NEC nullified the decision taken at the stakeholders meeting convened by Otti.

     

    The NEC insisted that there was no vacuum in the leadership of the party after “conducting its National Convention in line with its constitution, the Electoral Act and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on March 27, 2024.”

     

  • 2027: Atiku, Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Resume Merger Dialogue 

    2027: Atiku, Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Resume Merger Dialogue 

    The three prominent opposition leaders in Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, are reportedly currently engaged in discussions regarding a potential merger ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
    The trio aim to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) incumbent administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
    This move follows the hunger and widespread insecurity in the country, as stated by a spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday.
    The deputy national spokesman for the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi, made this announcement while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme.
    He indicated that the three opposition candidates from the previous elections—Atiku of the PDP, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), – are prepared to set aside personal ambitions to create a strong coalition capable of challenging the ruling APC in 2027, with the goal of “rescuing Nigerians from hunger.”
    Abdullahi further remarked that had the previous leadership of the party effectively managed internal disputes and conflicts, prominent figures such as former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike, Kwankwaso, and Obi would likely still be active members of the PDP, which could have led to a victory over Tinubu of the APC in the last election.
    He said, “We’ve lost Kwankwaso, we’ve lost Peter Obi, all of these people, imagine if they are in the party, we will have gone to win the elections.
    “This APC said they defeated us with one million plus (votes), just one of these names that I mentioned would have covered that gap for us and we would have been in power today and certainly Nigerians would not have been confronted with this despair and despondency in the land.”
    When asked if the PDP is trying to get Obi, Kwankwaso, Wike and others back into the party, Abdullahi said, “Sure, discussion is ongoing. You will see Peter Obi discussing with Atiku, you will see Peter Obi meeting with (Nasir) El-Rufai. Party management is a very difficult thing and we are doing the best in the quagmire that we have found ourselves. Rest assured, there would light at the end of the tunnel. We have learnt our lessons in a bitter way.”
    When inquired further about the potential outcomes of Obi and the others rejoining the PDP, Abdullahi stated, “One of them would yield to the other, thereby providing us with a clear direction.
    “Our concern as a party and to these people that I have mentioned is to ensure that we salvage Nigerians from this despair and despondency, between maladies of hunger and frightening insecurity in the land. You could see cluelessness and ineptitude on the part of these people managing this country.”
    The PDP chieftain said salvaging Nigerians out of the present hardship is more important than the individual ambitions of the trio.
    He said, “Atiku is saying if it is better for him to get Nigeria out of this hopelessness, he would do so.
    “He (Atiku) must not be in the race. Atiku is saying that it is an entitlement to him as a democrat; the constitution provides for him that he could contest at any time.
    “What he is trying to say is that (there) is no ceiling stopping him from contesting. That is his fundamental democratic right but he is not saying that he will force it on the throat of the party or the country.
    “I am telling you clearly: Peter Obi is suitably qualified; he can aspire and we will support him if he gets the ticket. Atiku is suitably qualified and if he gets the ticket, we will rally behind him and give him the desired support to salvage Nigerians out of this situation.”

  • Kano Corruption Agency to Quiz Kwankwaso’s Nephew

    Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has secured a post no debit on account linked to the alleged local government contract scam in the state, blocking N160million while moving to recover N440million.

     

    This is as investigators of the commission are expected to continue the quizzing of some of the key figures in the investigation.

     

    It was also gathered that Musa Garba Kwankwaso, nephew of the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, will be quizzed by the investigators, on Thursday.

     

    He is expected to answer questions regarding the involvement of his company, Novomed Pharmaceuticals, in the alleged contract scam.

     

    The contract, said to have been awarded without due process, involves each local government paying about N9 million monthly, amounting to N396 million in total every month.

     

    The scandal came to the fore when Bello Galadanchi, a United States-born Nigerian filmmaker and content creator, alleged that the state government directed each of the 44 local government councils to pay about N10 million for the drug supply, with the contract awarded exclusively to Novomed Pharmaceuticals.

     

    According to Galadanchi, 25 local governments, including Tofa, Bebeji, Dambatta, Dawakin Tofa, Doguwa, Kumbotso, Tudun Wada, Gezawa, Ungogo, Warawa, Ajingi, Kabo, Kura, Madobi, Bichi, Gwarzo, Rogo, Garun Mallam, Takai, Shanono, Kiru, Makoda, Nasarawa, and Gabasawa, have already made payments for August to the company’s account.

     

    Critics had alleged lack of transparency in the dealings of the local governments’ interim management committees appointed by Governor Yusuf in March, after the tenures of the elected council chairmen expired.

     

    Governor Yusuf had, late last week, distanced himself from the contract by denying prior knowledge of the deal and ordering an immediate probe into the matter.

     

    In an exclusive interview with Daily Trust, the chairman of the PCACC, Muhuyi Magaji, said: “We’ve already issued invitations to about five or six individuals, including the permanent secretary of the Ministry for Local Governments, the Director of Planning, and the Director of Local Government Inspection”.

     

    He said the commission also summoned the chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Kano State, the state secretary of the association, as well as the chairman of the Local Governments Directors of Personnel Management Forum. Also invited is the public relations officer of the forum.

     

  • Kano announce date for LG polls 

    Kano announce date for LG polls 

    The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has scheduled November 30, 2024, for the local government elections in the state.
    The Chairman of the Commission, Sani Malumfashi, announced the date while addressing a news conference in Kano on Wednesday.
    He said the notification of the election will be issued on November 15.
    Nomination forms will be available from October 1 to October 11, with submission of the forms due by October 18, 2024.
    He noted that the screening of candidates will take place from October 18 to October 20, while the list of eligible candidates will be released on October 24. The elections will follow thereafter.
    “We plan to release the results of the winners by December 10, 2024. This announcement is made under Section 103, Subsections 3 and 1 of the Electoral Act and the powers conferred on the Commission under Paragraph 3(4) of Part II, Third Schedule, Section 3(1) of the Kano Local Government Law 2004,” Malumfashi said.
    He said that the elections are being conducted following a Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments, and the conduct will be in accordance with the law.
    Malumfashi also announced that candidates are barred from placing their posters on places of worship, schools, and government buildings. Anyone violating these rules will be punished.
    He said the Commission expects all the 19 political parties to participate in the election.
    According to him, the Commission will work closely with security agencies to ensure a peaceful election.
    “Kano, with 44 local governments and over 7 million voters, presents significant security challenges, particularly in light of current economic difficulties,” he said.
    He explained that the Commission will recruit about 13,000 ad-hoc staff to man the 11,000 polling units.
  • Kano Guber: Supreme Court Affirms Abba Yusuf Victory

    Kano Guber: Supreme Court Affirms Abba Yusuf Victory

    The Supreme court has upheld the election of the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as the governor of the state.

    The five-man panel of the court lead by John Inyang Okoro, held that the 165, 616 votes complied with the provisions of Section 71 of the Electoral Act have been signed and stamped by the election agents.

    The court held that the All Progressive Congress (APC) and it’s flagbearer, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, failed to prove that the votes were unlawful.

    Therefore, the court ordered that the signed and stamped 165, 616 votes be returned to the appallant.

    With the verdict, the court thereby set aside the judgement of the lower court and declared that the Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf won the 2023 governorship election in Kano State with the majority votes.

    The Independent National Electronic Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced Yusuf as the winner of the March 18, 2023 election, saying he garnered 1,019,602 votes to defeat Gawuna who got 890,705 of the votes cast.

    Consequently, the APC headed the Tribunal, citing alleged electoral malpractice.

    The Tribunal in its ruling nullified Yusuf’s election, adding that over 160,000 ballot papers “were not signed or stamped by INEC”.

    The three-man panel of the Tribunal led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebay sacked Yusuf on September 20, 2023, after deducting 165,663 of his votes.

    Yusuf’s votes were subsequently reduced to 853,939 while Ganuwa’s 890,705 votes were not affected.

    Not satisfied, Yusuf proceeded to the Appeal court which held that it can be seen that the Tribunal acted in the overall interest of justice when it allowed APC’s tendering of documents during trial.

    The court held that INEC released documents to the APC piecemeal in order to defeat the petition of the petitioner.

    The judgement further posited
    the the Petitioner’s insistence that APC ought to have joined its candidate, Ganuwa, as a party at the Tribunal proceedings, was not backed by the 1999 Constitution.

    It maintained that a candidate is entitled to be represented by his political party during litigation, adding that every political party shall maintain the register of its voters.

    The court said the appellant to his own detriment did not submit his NNPP membership registrar or even tendered his statement on oath regarding his membership of the party.

    The court added that the name of Abba is not the NNPP membership registrar.

    “As rightfully found, Yusuf Abba was not a member of the NNPP at the time he was purportedly sponsored by his party and he was not qualified to contest the March Governorship Election,” the court while affirming the judgment of the Tribunal.

    “If you claim to be a member of a political party, is it not logical for you to say so by yourself and not by proxy?

    “Even though membership of a political party is an internal affair, a political party cannot be permitted to circumvent or breach the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

    “The Tribunal was wrong not to have disqualified the appellant.

    “Therefore the failure of the appellant and the NNPP to comply with the 1999 Constitution is fatal to their election.

    “All issues in this appeal are dismissed and the judgment of the Tribunal is affirmed,” the court held.

  • Finally, NNPP expels Rabiu Kwankwaso

    The National Executive Committee of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has expelled Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, following his alleged refusal to appear before the party’s Disciplinary Committee.

    Kwankwaso, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of NNPP, had been earlier suspended by the party’s leadership at the National Convention on August 29 in Lagos.

    Recall also that the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NNPP set up a Disciplinary Committee and directed it to invite Kwankwaso to defend allegations of gross anti party activities and mismanagement of party/campaign funds within five days.

    The NEC had warned that, failure to appear before the Disciplinary Committee, Kwankwaso would be expelled from the party in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution 2022 (as amended).

    Consequently, Mr Abdulsalam Abdulrasaq, the Acting National Publicity Secretary of NNPP, said in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos, that the NEC had expelled Kwankwaso with immediate effect because of his refusal to honour the committee’s invitations.

    Abdulrasaq said: “The NEC met in an emergency session on Friday, Sept 1. and resolved as follows:

    “Following the refusal of Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to appear before the disciplinary committee which sat on Thursday, August 31 after being duly invited in writing, he is hereby expelled from NNPP with immediate effect.

    “That the erstwhile presidential candidate, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso will be reported to appropriate quarters to answer questions on financial impropriety relating to mismanagement of public funds.”

    The crisis within the NNPP started when the NWC of the party loyal to Kwankwaso, announced the suspension of the NNPP founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam and the National Publicity Secretary, Dr Agbo Major on August 24.