The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has dissociated itself from the opposition coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warn...
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has dissociated itself from the opposition coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warning that the ADC should stop dragging it into unfounded claims against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Dr. Ogini Olaposi, the NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, the party described allegations by Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s interim National Publicity Secretary, as reckless and misleading.
Abdullahi had alleged on national television that the APC and President Bola Tinubu’s administration were sponsoring attacks on key opposition figures, particularly in the North East and North West, as part of efforts to derail the newly formed anti-Tinubu coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Abdullahi should limit his unfounded assertions to the ADC alone. He is not a member of the NNPP and therefore has no right to speak for us,” Olaposi said.
The NNPP made it clear that it is not part of any coalition and has no affiliation with the ADC, stressing that any mention of its name in such contexts is false and potentially dangerous.
“Nigeria is facing so many challenges that people may misinterpret inflammatory comments. Our party will not allow itself to be used as a pawn in a baseless political narrative,” Olaposi added.
Kwankwaso’s Crisis Not Linked to APC – NNPP
Addressing insinuations that the APC is behind the NNPP’s internal crisis, the party blamed the upheaval on Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and his followers, accusing them of attempting to hijack the party’s structure for personal gain.
“Our internal leadership issues were never instigated by the APC or President Tinubu. It was the Kwankwasiya Movement that betrayed the party's trust,” the statement noted.
It further clarified that Kwankwaso’s involvement in any political alliance does not equate to NNPP’s membership in the coalition, emphasizing that the party operates independently.
“Joining a coalition is a choice of individuals, not of our party. The NNPP remains a standalone national political party, and we reject being labeled as part of any gang-up,” the party said.
NNPP Rejects ‘Opposition’ Label
The NNPP also took a swipe at the term ‘opposition’ as used in Nigeria’s political context, saying it prefers to be seen as a responsible partner to other registered political parties under INEC’s framework.
“Opposition in Nigeria often implies that nothing is right about a sitting government. We reject that mindset. We believe in working constructively for the good of the country,” the party stated.
Olaposi also pointed to President Tinubu’s open-door policy, saying it reflects a desire to unite the country, not suppress dissent.
“President Tinubu has asked politicians to join hands and work towards his Renewed Hope Agenda. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
The party urged political actors to use their internal dispute resolution mechanisms instead of flooding the courts with cases that could be settled internally.
“Politicians draft their constitutions and then rush to courts to interpret them. This has become a lucrative business for legal practitioners at the expense of party unity,” the NNPP added.
The statement concluded by warning political stakeholders and coalition leaders not to use the NNPP’s name falsely.
“Let it be known: The NNPP was registered to contest elections, not to form ganging alliances. We won’t allow our platform to be used to deceive the Nigerian public.”
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