By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja
The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party, NNPP, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has categorically said that he can not deputise for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi.
The NNPP stated that its Presidential Candidate, Engr. Dr. Rabiu Musa kwankwaso can never accept to be Labour Party, Peter Obi’s deputy.
The party said this in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Agbo Major in Abuja.
However, the NNPP acknowledged alliance talks with Labour Party that would consolidate and boost the nation’s frail democracy “as we collectively strive for a new Nigeria which the party champions”.
The statement by Major reads, “The attention of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has been drawn to a newspaper report (not Peoples Daily)
titled, NNPP-LP alliance: ‘Kwankwaso can deputise Obi published on Sunday 19th June 2022, and dismisses it as false and figment of the reporter’s imagination.
“NNPP has never, at any time, said its esteemed Presidential Candidate, His Excellency, Engr. Dr. Rabiu Musa kwankwaso could accept to be Labour Party, Peter Obi’s deputy.
“The report is misleading and embarrassing to our great party, its Presidential Candidate, Kwankwaso and millions of supporters in Nigeria and in the diaspora, and urges journalists to crosscheck their reports before publishing them to avoid national disaffection ahead of the crucial 2023 general election.
“As a mass movement, NNPP acknowledged alliance talks with Labour Party that would consolidate and boost the nation’s frail democracy as we collectively strive for a new Nigeria which the party champions.
“The newspaper correctly stated in its report; “Asked to verify the proposed alliance, Major (Agbo) said talks were still ongoing and he wouldn’t want to speculate.
“If the party ‘s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Agbo Major had said talks were ongoing and he wouldn’t want to speculate, how did the newspaper arrive at Kwankwaso can deputise Obi?
“NNPP has high regard for journalists as the watchdog of the nation and major stakeholders in the Nigeria democratic process and urges them to always crosscheck their reports before publishing them in tandem with the ethics of their profession.
“Together, we shall build a strong, virile, progressive and egalitarian democratic society”, the party said in the statement.
