Says current Nigeria’s political climate calls for strategic realignment
By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party, NNPP, and former Governor of Kano State, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has resigned from the party, citing the ‘current political climate in the country’ as the reason for his action.
Kwankwaso announced his resignation from the NNPP in a statement issued on Sunday and made available to journalists.
The decision to quit the party of which he is the national leader, according to him, is with immediate effect.
The former Governor of Kano has, although, not disclosed the next political party he is joining, but there are strong indications that he may be pitching his political tent with the Senator David Mark-led African Democratic Congress, ADC.
Kwankwaso stated that his decision to quit NNPP was not an easy one and thanked the party for the opportunity to serve.
In his statement on Sunday, the former presidential candidate said, “I wish to formally announce my resignation from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) with immediate effect,” he said.
“I seize (sic) this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the honour and privilege of serving as the Party’s National Leader and its Presidential Candidate in the 2023 General Elections.
“As a committed and bonafide member of the party, this was not an easy decision to make”, he said.
The erstwhile Minister of Defense and one time Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives stated further that the current political climate in the country left him with no other choice.
He pointed out that he would align with another political platform that offers an opportunity to change the nation’s trajectory.
His words, “However, considering the current trajectory of the nation’s political landscape, which calls for strategic realignment, I have found it necessary to identify with another political platform that offers the best opportunity to effectively change the nation”.
Kwankwaso thanked the National Chairman of the NNPP, Dr Ajuji Ahmed, members of the party’s Board of Trustees, National Working Committee members as well as other members of the party.
He equally appreciated party leaders across all levels, including ward and state structures as well as the supporters of the Kwankwasiyya movement.
In his words, “I extend my deepest appreciation to the National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed and the entire National Working Committee for their steadfast support throughout my time.
“I also thank the Board of Trustees, the National Executive Committee, and all levels of leadership across the party — from the ward to the state level, as well as the legacy members of the party and all followers of the Kwankwasiyya Movement for their dedication and commitment to our shared mission.
“We shall continue to collaborate and work together towards charting a better and more prosperous future for our dear nation,” he said.
Kwankwaso, it will be recalled, had few days ago, held meetings with Kano ADC leaders and the National Secretary of the party, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
The Kwankwasiyya movement had, also on Saturday, hinted that the former Governor of Kano State would join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) today (Monday).