The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has vehemently refuted allegations made by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, suggesting that the Federal Government orchestrated the recent expulsion of its former presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the suspension of Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf. El-Rufai, who recently switched allegiances from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), insinuated that the ongoing internal turmoil within the NNPP, including the actions taken against Kwankwaso and Yusuf, were part of a broader political scheme orchestrated by the ruling government to destabilize opposition parties. The NNPP’s National Secretary, Oginni Olaposi, categorically dismissed these claims as baseless and a deliberate attempt by El-Rufai to divert attention from the core issues fueling the party’s internal conflicts. He challenged El-Rufai to provide concrete evidence to support his accusations and demanded a public apology within 48 hours, threatening legal action if the demand was not met.
Olaposi countered El-Rufai’s narrative by asserting that the root of the NNPP’s internal struggles lay in leadership disagreements and Kwankwaso’s alleged disregard for internal party procedures. He maintained that Kwankwaso had approached the NNPP in 2022 seeking its platform and subsequently triggered friction by attempting to impose his will on the party structure. He specifically cited the alleged unauthorized change of the NNPP logo to one resembling Kwankwaso’s private school and Kwankwasiyya movement as evidence of this disregard for established party protocol. He further argued that Kwankwaso and his allies had consistently bypassed internal mechanisms designed to resolve disputes, thereby exacerbating the existing tensions.
The NNPP secretary posed a series of questions to El-Rufai, challenging him to explain how federal interference could account for Kwankwaso’s initial approach to the NNPP or the alleged alteration of the party’s logo. He insisted that the Federal Government played no role in the party’s internal affairs and that Kwankwaso’s actions were solely responsible for the escalating crisis. He framed the situation as a power struggle within the party, with Kwankwaso attempting to assert dominance over the existing leadership. Olaposi’s statement aimed to shift the focus from external interference to internal dynamics, portraying Kwankwaso as the instigator of the conflict.
El-Rufai’s initial statement implied that the NNPP’s expulsion of its presidential candidate and suspension of its only sitting governor seemed illogical and pointed towards external manipulation. He hinted at a wider pattern of fabricated crises within opposition parties, though he refrained from providing specific details. El-Rufai’s comments sparked a strong reaction from the NNPP, who saw his accusations as defamatory and damaging to the party’s reputation. The demand for a public apology and the threat of legal action underscore the NNPP’s determination to counter what they perceive as a smear campaign.
The NNPP’s response strategically reframed the narrative, portraying Kwankwaso’s actions as a breach of party unity and a disregard for established protocols. By highlighting Kwankwaso’s initial pursuit of the NNPP platform, the party sought to portray him as opportunistic and subsequently disruptive. The emphasis on the alleged logo change served to illustrate Kwankwaso’s perceived attempt to impose his personal brand on the party, further fueling the internal conflict. The NNPP’s strategy was to discredit El-Rufai’s claim of external interference by presenting a counter-narrative that attributed the crisis to internal power struggles.
The public exchange between the NNPP and El-Rufai highlights the complex interplay of power dynamics and political maneuvering within the Nigerian political landscape. El-Rufai’s allegations, although lacking specific evidence, tap into a common suspicion of government interference in opposition party affairs. The NNPP’s robust response, while denying external influence, inadvertently reveals the deep fissures within the party and the power struggle between the established leadership and the influence wielded by figures like Kwankwaso. The ongoing dispute raises questions about the stability and cohesion of the NNPP and the potential implications for its future political prospects. The 48-hour ultimatum issued by the NNPP adds a layer of urgency to the situation and suggests that the conflict is far from resolved.
