NNPP won’t repeat Kwankwaso mistake in 2027 presidential choice — Aniebonam

By Juliet Umeh

The Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, has said the party will not repeat what he described as the mistake of handing an automatic presidential ticket to its 2023 candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Aniebonam, in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday, said the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election would emerge through a rigorous screening process designed to assess competence, loyalty and electoral strength.

He disclosed that the party had identified three potential presidential aspirants who would be subjected to screening before one of them is selected as its flag bearer.

The development followed the submission of a placeholder presidential candidate on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal in line with electoral requirements.

“We are not going to repeat the mistake we made in 2023. Our final presidential candidate will not get an automatic ticket. Every aspirant will be subjected to proper screening to determine competitiveness and loyalty to the party,” Aniebonam said.

He attributed some of the party’s setbacks after the 2023 election to prolonged legal battles and internal disagreements involving Kwankwaso and members of his Kwankwasiyya movement.

According to him, the crisis delayed the party’s preparations and contributed to the exit of some members to other political parties.

“We had a lot of delays due to litigation aimed at stopping Kwankwaso from hijacking the NNPP. The internal crisis also led to the defection of some members to other political parties. However, we are not deterred and our aspirants will still make their mark,” he said.

Aniebonam said the party’s emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting would deliberate on the timetable for its national convention, concessions for certain categories of aspirants, reduction of nomination fees and proposed legal action against INEC.

He described the electoral commission’s alleged failure to comply with court orders as “sad and regrettable”, adding that the NEC would consider approving legal action against the body.

The NNPP chieftain also appealed to former party members who left during the crisis to return, assuring them of equal opportunities and a transparent process.

“Our ticket is reasonable and responsible. Female aspirants and persons with disabilities will enjoy concessions. We also remain open to discussions and agreements with political parties that share our ideology,” he said.

On Kwankwaso, Aniebonam said: “We are grateful to God that he did not succeed in hijacking our party. He betrayed us and we left him to God.”

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