Kwankwaso Used NNPP for Personal Political Interests, Party Chairman Alleges

The National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Agbo Gilbert Major, has publicly accused the party’s former presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, of prioritizing his personal political ambitions over the growth of the party during the 2023 general elections.

Speaking during an interview on Trust TV on Tuesday, Major claimed that Kwankwaso’s campaign strategy was largely concentrated in Kano State and parts of Jigawa, while several other regions of the country received little or no campaign attention.

According to the NNPP chairman, this pattern raised concerns within the party about Kwankwaso’s commitment to building a truly national political movement.

NNPP Chairman Questions Kwankwaso’s National Campaign

Major said he became concerned during the 2023 election campaign after observing what he described as limited nationwide engagement by the former Kano governor.

He alleged that Kwankwaso visited only a handful of states while other political parties actively campaigned across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

The NNPP chairman further claimed that the Southeast and Southwest were largely neglected during the campaign, arguing that the party failed to establish a strong nationwide presence under Kwankwaso’s leadership.

According to Major, these developments convinced him that the former presidential candidate’s primary political interest remained Kano State and parts of neighboring Jigawa State rather than expanding the NNPP’s national appeal.

Allegation of Using the Party as a Political Platform

During the television interview, Major alleged that Kwankwaso treated the NNPP as a vehicle to advance his personal political objectives rather than investing in the long-term development of the party.

He claimed that the former presidential candidate used the party as a “bargaining chip” for his own political future.

The remarks represent one of the strongest public criticisms yet from the current NNPP leadership regarding Kwankwaso’s role in the party following the 2023 elections.

Kwankwaso has not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of publication.

Kwankwaso’s Current Political Position

Kwankwaso contested Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election as the NNPP’s flag bearer.

However, ahead of the forthcoming general elections, he is now serving as the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), marking a significant shift in his political alignment.

His move has continued to generate debate over the future direction of the NNPP and its leadership following the party’s performance in the last presidential election.

NNPP Says It Is Moving Forward

Despite the political developments surrounding its former presidential candidate, Major maintained that the NNPP remains active.

He disclosed that the party has completed the submission of its list of National Assembly candidates as well as its presidential candidate for the upcoming elections, describing it as evidence that the party continues to strengthen its political structures.

The chairman suggested that the NNPP is focused on rebuilding its national presence and preparing for future electoral contests.

Why This Story Matters

The latest comments highlight the continuing leadership and political realignments taking place among Nigeria’s opposition parties ahead of another election cycle.

Internal disputes within political parties often influence campaign strategies, candidate selection, voter confidence, and coalition negotiations. The accusations against Kwankwaso also reflect broader conversations about party loyalty, regional political influence, and the challenges smaller political parties face in building sustainable national structures.

Whether the allegations result in further political exchanges or formal responses could shape public perception of both the NNPP and Kwankwaso in the months leading to the elections.

Editorial Note: The allegations contained in this report were made by NNPP National Chairman Agbo Gilbert Major during a television interview. They represent his claims and have not been independently verified. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso had not issued a public response at the time this report was published.