By Ken Afor
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), is considering the option of joining forces with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to remove the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the seat of power in the next general election in 2027.
This trails the abysmal performance of NNPP in the February 25 presidential election where it came fourth with their candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a two-time governor of Kano State managing to poll 1,496,687 votes.
It would be recalled that about a week ago, Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the PDP in the election urged opposition parties to form an alliance again the APC in the next election as he is convinced that the move will create an even more formidable force against the current All Progressives Congress (APC).
Atiku made the call while expressing concern that the country was sliding into a one-party state.
He said: “Today, during a meeting with the National Executive Committee of the Inter-Party Advisory Council Nigeria (IPAC), I emphasised the importance of protecting our democracy. I expressed concern over the APC’s actions, leading Nigeria towards a one-party dictatorship. I urged IPAC, led by Yabagi Sani to rally opposition parties to form a stronger front against this threat.
“I criticised INEC for conducting poor elections, including discrepancies in voter numbers. I called for the National Assembly to prioritise constitutional and electoral reforms, in particular electronic voting reforms, to ensure transparent elections and protect our democracy. I believe democracy, despite its flaws, is the best form of government, and I am committed to working with others in providing its preservation in Nigeria.”
The ruling APC faulted the idea and called on the PDP to focus on resolving its internal party crisis which many of their members said led to their downfall in the general election.
However, the NNPP on Tuesday at a press conference addressed by the acting National Chairman of the party, Abba Kawu Ali, welcoming the idea said it is for the best interest of the Nigerian people to protect and consolidate the country’s nascent democracy.
His words, “Just recently, former Vice-President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was reported to have called for a merger of opposition parties as a way of checkmating the inordinate drive of the ruling APC towards a one-party state and protecting our hard-earned democracy.
“The NNPP sees this call from Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as patriotic and a welcome development for which we unreservedly commend him.
“The NNPP, however, has modifications to that collaboration being proposed by Alh. Atiku Abubakar. It is our belief that such an arrangement should be all-encompassing and broad.
“To the former Vice President’s call, our party notes that this was the same bold initiative that the opposition parties signed up to in 2015 and which enabled the merger that led to the defeat of the then ruling People’sDemocratic Party (PDP).
“To that extent, the NNPP is reiterating its position that the former Vice President’s latest call is a proposal we applaud wholeheartedly.
“However, as we stated earlier, while we fully embrace this initiative and applaud it as a matter of necessity, the NNPP is looking at this issue from a much larger perspective and considering all factors inherent in it.
“Our party, without any iota of doubt, is open to collaboration, alliance and any arrangement with any of or all the political parties including PDP, Labour Party, and APC, so long as such collaboration, alliance or arrangement will be in the utmost interest of the Nigerian people and the protection and consolidation of Nigeria’s democracy.
“At the moment, we are studying the mood of the country and the political atmosphere. NNPP will welcome any initiative from any political party and oblige any invitation towards discussing any arrangement aimed at protecting our people, our democracy and towards the much desired accelerated and sustainable development of our country.
“Thankfully, the whole country is not unmindful of the populist profile of the NNPP which draws its strength from our well-thought out Constitution and Manifesto as well as a robust Kwakwasiyya Movement dedicated to the emancipation of the common man.
“ It is for this singular reason of being a refuge of succour for the oppressed and largely dispossessed majority in our society that the Kwankwasiyya Movement and indeed the NNPP are consolidating and spreading its wings across communities in Nigeria’s North, South, East and West and beyond the shores of our country.”
