Toba Owojaiye Reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
In a shocking development, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has disowned Yabuku Shendam as its national publicity secretary, asserting that he cannot speak on behalf of the party. NNPP National Chairman, Dr. Major Agbo, clarified that Abdulsalam Abdulrasaq remains the party’s National Publicity Secretary, emphasizing that Shendam is likely representing Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s Kwankwasiya group.
From information made available to TruthLive News, the dispute arose following Shendam’s statement regarding a rumored merger plan among opposition parties, reportedly initiated by Atiku Abubakar.
According to Agbo, Shendam suggested the NNPP’s acceptance of the proposal hinged on Atiku’s support for Kwankwaso’s bid to wrest power from the All Progressives Congress in 2027. Agbo countered, stating that Kwankwaso had been expelled from the NNPP due to anti-party activities.
Agbo affirmed the party’s openness to propositions enhancing democracy but underscored that decisions must involve the NNPP’s leadership, excluding Kwankwaso and his group. He expressed readiness for alliances, not mergers, and urged Atiku to support the NNPP for the 2027 elections.
The NNPP is grappling with leadership conflicts, notably the suspension of Kwankwaso by a faction aligned with the founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, and the expulsion of national officers by a pro-Kwankwaso faction. The recent court ruling further intensified the crisis, removing the party’s sole governor due to party register and membership issues.
The uncertainty surrounding Kwankwaso’s potential presidential candidacy in 2027 adds complexity to the NNPP’s internal dynamics. As the party navigates these challenges, the prospect of a merger remains speculative, with Agbo emphasizing the NNPP’s commitment to independent political standing.
In conclusion, the NNPP finds itself at a crossroads, managing internal discord while responding to external political dynamics. The leadership’s assertion of independence and focus on credible candidates signal a determination to navigate the complexities of Nigerian politics leading up to the 2027 elections.