By seaflyponews 
Kwankwaso, other 2023 Presidential candidates have lost leadership status of political Parties except Tinubu – NNPP
By Babatunde Aremu
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has made a significant declaration, stating that all presidential candidates who failed to secure the presidency in the 2023 general election have lost their leadership status within their respective political parties.
The party’s statement, issued by Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday, NNPP Secretary-General, pointed out the ongoing confusion as many of the defeated presidential candidates continue to present themselves as leaders of their political parties.
The NNPP emphasized that only Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who emerged victorious in the 2023 presidential election, retains the title of leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party stressed that the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and NNPP was effectively nullified once the Supreme Court resolved all post-election litigations, affirming Tinubu’s status as the duly elected president of Nigeria.
Addressing the situation concerning Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the NNPP, the statement clarified that Kwankwaso has been expelled from the party. As a result, he is no longer authorized to speak on behalf of the NNPP.
In a direct challenge to any efforts at forming a coalition for the upcoming 2027 elections, the NNPP made it clear that none of the 2023 defeated candidates has the authority to involve any political party in such a coalition. However, the party noted that these individuals are free to form their own coalitions as independent political movements. Senator Kwankwaso, in particular, has been urged to continue his political activities under his Kwankwasiyya Movement.
The current leadership of the major political parties, according to the NNPP, is now as follows:
• APC – Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu
• Labour Party – Governor Alex Otti of Abia State
• PDP – Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum
• NNPP – Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State (suspended)
The NNPP reiterated that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is suspended from the party and therefore has no authority to represent or speak for the NNPP in any capacity.
The party also reaffirmed its status as a registered national political entity since 2002, maintaining that it has never been part of any coalition and has no intention of joining one. However, the NNPP expressed its willingness to explore technical alliances with other parties that share similar ideologies through platforms like the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
The statement further took aim at Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Elder Buba Galadima, and Barrister Ladipo Johnson, accusing them of using the name of NNPP to spread false information and engage in public attacks against the Presidency, Judiciary, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The NNPP reminded the public that these individuals were expelled from the party and that court rulings from the Abia State High Court and the Federal Capital Territory High Court had confirmed their expulsion.
On the issue of alleged discrepancies with INEC records, the NNPP clarified that INEC is a federal institution bound by strict procedures in carrying out its functions, and called on the public to reject any unfounded claims regarding the commission’s integrity.
Finally, the NNPP responded to claims suggesting that Nigeria may be turning into a one-party state, calling such insinuations “unfortunate and regrettable.” The party emphasized that Nigeria remains a multi-party democracy, with approximately 19 registered political parties, all of which have equal opportunities to operate.
The NNPP concluded with a plea to the media to remain cautious and avoid giving platforms to individuals who seek to undermine the democratic process.