The defections of Representative Abdulmuni Jibrin to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Oluremi Oguntoyinbo to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been attributed by the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to Rabiu Kwankwaso’s anti-party activities and betrayal of trust.
Jibrin, a former director-general of President Bola Tinubu’s Support Groups, reportedly declared his support for Tinubu’s 2027 reelection and announced his return to the APC on Monday.
On Monday, Oguntoyinbo, a former NNPP candidate for Ogun governor, formally quit the party and joined the PDP.
Ogini Olaposi, the National Secretary of the NNPP, claimed in a statement on Tuesday that Kwankwaso and his followers’ unnecessary leadership crisis was the cause of the party’s wave of defections.
“When Kwankwaso and his movement attempted to take control of the party’s leadership and structures, the NNPP faced a series of litigations and still faces a leadership crisis,” the statement said. Many of our key members joined the APC after leaving our party in Kano.
“We pretend to practice democracy, but no respectable politician would want to be in a political party where an individual sees himself as the beginning and finish of decision-making.
Unfortunately, Kwankwaso and his supporters violated the confidence that Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the NNPP’s founder and chairman of the board of trustees, placed in them.
“Our party has been plagued by the needless betrayal of trust by our founder, who granted Kwankwaso the party’s presidential ticket at no cost.
“We are not shocked by the alignments in the run-up to the 2027 general elections because many members are relocating to areas where they will be relevant and running in elections free from political tradership and abuse of power.”
Olaposi went on to say that the party welcomes members of other parties joining its ranks and has no problem with people defecting.
“Every Nigerian has the right to select the party they want to join,” he emphasized. Because of our internal leadership crisis, the defectors joined another party voluntarily rather than under pressure.
As a political party, we value honesty and integrity, and we are not in a desperate situation.
“Ideologies exist throughout Nigerian political parties. Since a person’s identity is greatly influenced by their loyalty to an ideology, anyone who no longer shares the NNPP’s beliefs is free to leave, while those who do are free to stay or join.
According to Olaposi, the party is still holding out hope that INEC’s new administration can quickly address the NNPP leadership situation so that it can actively take part in the 2027 elections and beyond.
“We hope that INEC should not wait for a compelling order of the court to obey valid court judgements,” he continued.
“We will regain control of our party; we urge all of our members and prospective members to remain calm and law-abiding.”
