The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has declared that its 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, will not be permitted to contest the party’s presidential ticket in the 2027 general election.

The party’s National Secretary, Mr Ogini Olaposi, made the position known in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos.

Olaposi said the NNPP’s 2027 presidential ticket would be open only to bona fide members of the party who meet its requirements, stressing that Kwankwaso no longer qualifies following unresolved disagreements between the party and the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

He explained that the NNPP entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kwankwasiyya Movement in 2022, which expired after the 2023 general election.

According to him, anti-party activities allegedly carried out by some leaders of the Kwankwasiyya Movement after the polls led to the expulsion of top members, including Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima, adding that the expulsions had not been reversed.

“The NNPP presidential ticket for 2027 is open to all eligible members, unlike in 2023 when it was solely given to Kwankwaso,” Olaposi said.

He disclosed that the party already has several presidential aspirants, including two from the NNPP diaspora, and remains open to more aspirants and strategic alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.

Olaposi also dismissed claims attributed to Kwankwaso that any political party seeking his defection must offer him its presidential ticket, describing such remarks as unrealistic.

“Kwankwaso does not possess nationwide electoral appeal comparable to President Bola Tinubu, and his influence, particularly in Kano State, is grossly exaggerated,” he said.

He further alleged that many key members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), weakening Kwankwaso’s political base.

According to Olaposi, the APC’s prospects for 2027 would be determined by performance in government rather than individual political influence.

He urged political parties interested in alliances with the NNPP to engage only with the party’s recognised National Working Committee, which he said is duly endorsed by the courts.

“Kwankwaso and his group remain expelled and have no mandate to negotiate on behalf of the NNPP. All decisions on alliances for 2027 will be taken by the party’s National Working Committee,” Olaposi added.