There is rising tension within the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) over the prolonged silence of Rabiu Kwankwaso, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, regarding his intentions for the 2027 elections.
His supporters, once loyal and hopeful, are now growing restless and uncertain about the future.
Silence Fuels Anxiety Within Kwankwasiyya Movement
A close associate of Kwankwaso told Punch that the former Kano State governor’s silence has unsettled the party and its grassroots supporters.
The associate revealed that even those near Kwankwaso remain in the dark about his next political move.
“The prolonged silence is seriously affecting both our party and our group,” the source said.
“Since we are already in the electioneering season, many of our supporters expected him to have declared his position by now.”
This uncertainty has led to defections.
Members of the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya Movement are reportedly abandoning the party in large numbers.
Some have joined rival parties or shifted their support to other presidential hopefuls.
The once solid base is now visibly unstable.
Factionalism Deepens Within NNPP
The party’s internal divisions have worsened amid Kwankwaso’s silence.
The anti-Kwankwaso faction, led by Agbo Major, openly brands him a political liability.
They accuse him of sowing disunity and attempting to hijack the party for personal gain.
Olaposi Oginni, National Secretary of this faction, did not mince words.
“Kwankwaso can go wherever he likes; it is good riddance to bad rubbish,” he declared in an interview with Punch.
“He met us in the party, yet he wants to hijack the party from us just because we gave him the opportunity to be the presidential flag-bearer in 2023.”
This faction insists Kwankwaso’s exit would be a blessing, not a loss.
They accuse him of treating the NNPP as his personal property and say his presence has been a curse rather than a blessing.
Pro-Kwankwaso Faction Stands Firm
In contrast, the pro-Kwankwaso camp, led by Ajuji Ahmed, praises the former governor as an exceptional leader whose popularity any party would covet.
NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Oladipo Johnson, reaffirmed Kwankwaso’s commitment to the party and Nigeria’s development.
“We know why all political parties want to have Kwankwaso with them he is popular among Nigerians and a great leader with numerous achievements,” Johnson said.
“Our position has not changed. All options are on the table, and we are carefully weighing them.”
Johnson emphasized that Kwankwaso remains an NNPP member and will inform the public when a decision is made.
For now, the party claims unity and focus on growth.
Political Chessboard: APC and ADC Eye Kwankwaso’s Influence
Kwankwaso’s silence has not gone unnoticed by rival parties.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition are reportedly scrambling to court him.
Kano’s 5.7 million votes are pivotal in the 2027 elections, and Kwankwaso’s massive following, the Kwankwasiyya Movement, holds significant sway.
An ally of Rabiu Kwankwaso , Yusuf Sharada, confirmed that the APC is making frantic efforts to bring the former governor on board to secure Kano for President Bola Tinubu.
Sharada revealed that the APC has lost popularity in Kano and sees Kwankwaso as the key to regaining influence.
“Politics is about numbers, and they know he has the numbers, especially from Kano and the core North-West,” Sharada said.
Kwankwaso’s Previous Bold Claims and Current Silence
Only months ago, Kwankwaso confidently declared he would win the 2027 presidential election.
He criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as “already dead” and urged Nigerians not to be deceived by money or gimmicks during elections.
He also called on party leaders to intensify efforts toward success, praising renovations of the NNPP state secretariat as part of preparations.
Yet, despite these bold declarations, his current silence has left supporters confused and vulnerable to political maneuvering.
Is Kwankwaso Playing a Waiting Game or Abandoning Ship?
The silence has led to rampant speculation. Some believe Kwankwaso is weighing all options, including defecting to APC or joining the ADC coalition.
Others suspect internal party conflicts have sidelined him.
The NNPP’s official stance is that Kwankwaso has no platform to contest under the party in 2027, citing his expulsion and the end of their Memorandum of Understanding with the Kwankwasiyya Movement after the 2023 election.
This claim contradicts the pro-Kwankwaso faction’s insistence that he remains committed to the NNPP.
The conflicting narratives deepen the confusion and mistrust among supporters.
Supporters Left in Limbo
The prolonged uncertainty is damaging the NNPP’s grassroots support.
Many loyalists feel abandoned, unsure whether to stay or jump ship to more decisive parties.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement, once a formidable political force, is fracturing.
Defections to APC, ADC, and even Labour Party have been reported.
The movement’s cohesion is at risk, and the NNPP’s relevance in Kano and beyond hangs in the balance.
The Bigger Picture: Kano Votes as Kingmakers
Kano State’s massive electorate makes it a prize for any presidential hopeful.
Kwankwaso’s influence there is undeniable. His decision will shape the 2027 political landscape.
Kwankwaso’s silence leaves a vacuum that both sides are eager to fill.
Silence That Speaks Volumes
Rabiu Kwankwaso’s silence on his 2027 ambitions is more than a personal choice it is a political crisis for the NNPP and his supporters.
The growing defections and factional battles expose a party in turmoil.
While some factions dismiss him as a liability, others hail him as a leader Nigeria cannot afford to lose.
Meanwhile, rival parties court him aggressively, knowing his decision could make or break the next election.
For Kwankwaso’s supporters, the wait grows unbearable.
His silence risks not only his political future but the fate of the NNPP and the broader opposition landscape.
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