The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has taken a swipe at the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) over its decision to pair Peter Obi with Rabiu Kwankwaso for the 2027 presidential election.
It specifically described the choice of Kwankwaso as a “gross mistake” for the party.
The NNPP, in a statement issued on Monday by its National Secretary-General, Ogini Olaposi, questioned Kwankwaso’s loyalty, citing the political crisis that followed his emergence as the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election.
Olaposi alleged that Kwankwaso benefited significantly from the NNPP’s platform before subsequently turning against the party, warning the NDC that his political history could become a liability.
He said the NNPP had provided Kwankwaso with a presidential platform in 2023 and supported his national political ambitions, only for the relationship to later deteriorate.
“Kwankwaso dragged a party that brought him to the limelight in the presidential contest, freely gave him a platform and did all it could to support him. Once a betrayer, always a betrayer, and posterity will prove us right,” Olaposi said.
The NNPP official further blamed Kwankwaso’s actions for worsening the internal crisis within the party, claiming that the fallout resulted in the departure of several members.
“Kwankwaso’s actions contributed to the crisis in our party and caused many of our members to leave,” he alleged.
The party also rejected claims that its founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, handed the NNPP over to Kwankwaso, insisting that ownership of the party remains with its Board of Trustees.
Olaposi described the alleged transfer of the party to Kwankwaso as false, stressing that the NNPP was never given away by its founder.
He also warned the NDC against relying solely on Obi’s popularity to secure victory in 2027, arguing that voters would equally scrutinise the record and political antecedents of his running mate.
The NNPP’s criticism comes as Obi has publicly defended his decision to run alongside Kwankwaso, challenging Nigerians to investigate the backgrounds of both men and expose any wrongdoing they may have committed.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, tagged “Obi Talks Nigeria”, the NDC presidential candidate said he and Kwankwaso had made their personal histories available for public scrutiny.
“I want to give every Nigerian the opportunity to know who I am,” Obi said.
He added that the duo had disclosed details of their backgrounds, including their education and other personal records, for Nigerians to independently verify.
“Both of us have presented our backgrounds, from our dates of birth to our schools, education and all, to the people. You can go and verify our backgrounds worldwide, anywhere,” he said.
Obi also referred to a defamation suit he instituted against Kenneth Okonkwo, his former spokesperson during the 2023 presidential campaign, following comments in which the actor allegedly claimed to possess damaging information about Obi’s past.
According to Obi, he initiated the legal action to compel Okonkwo to publicly substantiate the allegations.
“We have sued somebody in court. He said he knows something he can say and the people will be shocked. I said I want you to say what people will be shocked about,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor then challenged Nigerians to produce evidence of any wrongdoing by him or Kwankwaso.
“And I’m challenging every Nigerian. If there is anything that you know I have done that is wrong, say it out now.
“I’m challenging the world over: if you know anything that Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has done that is wrong, say it out now,” Obi declared.
He maintained that candidates seeking the nation’s highest political offices must be subjected to a rigorous process capable of establishing their credibility and competence.
“You cannot continue to answer his excellency when the process that got you there is not excellent,” Obi said.
