Confusion in Kwankwaso Camp as INEC recognizes ANIEBONAM-Led NNPP Leadership
Confusion in Kwankwaso Camp as INEC recognizes ANIEBONAM- led NNPP Leadership
_By Babatunde Aremu_
The New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, says the faction loyal to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso is in crisis following the recognition of a new leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Dr. Clement Iwegbuna : Head of Strategy and Planning, NNPP Headquarters Annex, Lagos, said aspirants who paid nomination fees for the 2027 general election under the Kwankwaso-led group have alleged that they were deceived by individuals “masquerading as the leadership of the party.”
According to him, efforts to reach the Abuja office of the Kwankwaso faction have been unsuccessful as phone calls go unanswered.
The situation worsened, he said, after INEC’s national portal showed that the names of Dr. Ahmed Ajuji and Mr. Dipo Olayoku had been replaced with those of the Aniebonam-led leadership, comprising Major Agbo Gilbert and Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday.
Dr. Iwegbuna stated that some aggrieved aspirants who visited INEC for clarification were told that the Kwankwaso-led group had been removed as judgement debtors in compliance with a court order.
“INEC has accordingly given recognition to the authentic leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party with the mandate to field candidates for the 2027 general election,” the statement said.
He further disclosed that INEC would soon restore the original NNPP logo — a basket of fruits placed on the map of Nigeria — to replace what he described as the “counterfeit logo” used by the Kwankwaso faction.
“With these developments, it has become clear to them that they have been defrauded. The police will be invited into the matter,” Dr. Iwegbuna stated.
He added that those who contacted the Kwankwaso group were advised to remain patient pending possible appeals at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
“The judiciary deals with facts, not technicalities,” he said.
The statement recalled that NNPP was founded in 2001, while Senator Kwankwaso, Alhaji Buba Galadima and their associates joined the party in 2022 ahead of the 2023 general election.
In view of the development, the party urged all affected aspirants and other credible candidates interested in contesting in 2027 to register through the NNPP online portal and present themselves for screening.
