By Christiana Ekpa
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has dismissed the purported adoption of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) by Hon. Yakubu Dogara’s Northern Leaders Consultative Forum, saying it is a contraption he and his co-travelers hastily formed in October 2022, to seek relevance ahead of the 2023 presidential election after aimlessly wandering in political wilderness.
A statement issued yesterday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Agbo Major said “The group represents the old order of retired, tired and recycled politicians with acute delusions of grandeur of a PDP presidency, totally out of touch with political reality in the country, the sufferings of Nigerians and their yearning for a new Nigeria which the New Nigeria People’s Party represents as a grassroots political party that will deliver dividends of democracy, not carnage as obtainable since 1999.
“The fact that Dogara’s group did not know that the NNPP’s Presidential Candidate, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Ph.D (FNSE) launched his well articulated, purpose-driven blueprint, manifesto, policy document or contract with Nigerians titled – My Pledges To You, in Abuja on November 1, 2022, which was widely reported in the media (including television live coverage) and went viral on social media shows how myopic the group is, which should not be taken seriously by the people on who sovereignty resides. It is no news that PDP members endorse their party.
“NNPP would not have responded to the PDP group’s endorsement of its candidate if not for a misleading statement about the party by these restless political nomads. Their claim that NNPP has no structure and did not field enough candidates to win presidential election is the height of political hallucinations and absurdity.
“For the avoidance of doubt, NNPP has formidable structure in 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) – Abuja and fielded credible candidates in national and state elections. The general acceptance of the party candidates and their well articulated message for a new Nigeria is an eloquent testimony of the popularity of NNPP as a grassroots political party tipped by majority of Nigerians to win the presidential election.
“It is obvious that Senator Kwankwaso is the best candidate for president. He is on a rescue mission to redirect the ship of the nation from its perilous course and build a new Nigeria which citizens desire and deserve. For months, he has been traversing the country inaugurating NNPP/campaign offices interfacing with the masses who joyfully welcomed him assured that he will fulfill his electoral promises as he did in previous positions he held.
“There is no doubt that NNPP will win the presidential election landslide. There will be no need for a run-off as projected by INEC. The party is soaring on the current wind of change and citizens’ quest for a compassionate leader with a milk of human kindness and political will to transform the nation and restore its position as the great arsenal of democracy in Africa.
“NNPP calls on eligible Nigerians to collect their permanent voters’ cards (PVC) from December 12, 2022 to January 22, 2023 as directed by INEC. The party also calls on the commission to provide a level playing field for all the political parties and their candidates contesting the elections. Nigerians demand free, fair, credible, transparent, peaceful and acceptable polls.”
