Jun 14, 2026

2027: NNPP Denies Any Pact To Support Obi Kwankwaso

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in politics

👁️ loading views...

Abuja, June 14, 2026— The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has firmly denied entering into any secret pact or arrangement to collapse its structure in support of Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, and his potential running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Speaking on the sidelines of the party’s 11th National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, NNPP National Chairman Bala Yusuf dismissed growing speculations linking the party to an emerging Obi-Kwankwaso alliance under the NDC platform.

“This is just some people’s belief, but we as a party have taken the stand not to field a candidate because there are over 20 political parties registered under INEC and all of us cannot field candidates just for fielding sake,” Yusuf stated.

“Again, we are not collapsing the NNPP structure for the NDC or the ruling party.

That our former presidential candidate Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso joined the NDC is not enough to make us collapse our structure for him or any party.”

The clarification comes amid significant political realignments. Kwankwaso, who was the NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate, recently defected to the NDC, where Obi has been adopted as the sole presidential aspirant with Kwankwaso eyed as his running mate.

The NNPP itself has suffered major setbacks, including the defection of its only elected governor, Abba Yusuf of Kano State, along with key structures to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Yusuf explained that the party’s decision not to field a presidential candidate for the 2027 general election is strategic.

Nigeria, he noted, faces serious challenges and requires a credible, well-focused candidate who can unite opposition forces.

“We have to sit and see if we have very viable, presentable and qualified candidates. If we don’t have that, it’s not compulsory that we have to field a presidential candidate,” he said.

“We’ll look at them and then form an alliance to see how we can forge ahead.

For now, we don’t have any party in mind. But if the party’s constitution and manifesto align with our own party, the NNPP, definitely we will seek to work together with that party.”

The NNPP’s position signals a pragmatic approach to opposition consolidation rather than isolated contestation.

With multiple parties vying for relevance and the ruling APC appearing consolidated in key states like Kano, smaller parties face pressure to either merge structures or form tactical alliances.

Analysts view the development as part of wider efforts to build a formidable opposition front against the APC in 2027.

However, Yusuf stressed that any future collaboration would be merit-based and aligned with NNPP’s core values, not driven by personal loyalties or past affiliations.

The party’s stance also serves as a direct rebuttal to rumours that NNPP structures would be handed over to bolster the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket.

By keeping its options open while refusing to dissolve its identity, the NNPP positions itself as a potential kingmaker in emerging opposition coalitions.

As the 2027 political landscape continues to evolve with defections, new party formations, and alliance talks, the NNPP’s measured response underscores the complexities of coalition-building in Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

The party has urged members and the public to disregard unfounded speculations and focus on building a united front capable of addressing the nation’s pressing challenges.

The full statement reflects NNPP’s commitment to internal cohesion and strategic flexibility ahead of what promises to be a highly competitive electoral cycle.