The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has opened up on why it did not participate in Saturday’s local government elections across Lagos State, saying it was due to “internal wrangling” in the party.
Voting is currently underway to elect local government chairpersons and councillors across 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state.
According to NAN, the NNPP national publicity secretary, Ogini Olaposi, explained that the decision to withdraw from the election came after the party experienced internal strife, including a leadership tussle allegedly initiated by a faction led by Rabiu Kwankwaso, its 2023 presidential candidate.
“We regret to inform all members of our great party that it is indeed most unfortunate and regrettable that despite the double victory judgments we received, we could not put our house in order for effective campaigns and participation,” Olaposi said.
“In the build-up to the election, we were still immersed in internal wrangling, following the move by the Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso -led group to hijack the leadership of the NNPP.”
Olaposi described the move as “regrettable but necessary”, adding that it is unprecedented since the party’s founding in 2021.
He further claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s inability to update NNPP’s registration records or reflect its “legitimate National Working Committee led by Dr. Agbo Major” also delayed preparations further.
These combined setbacks, Olaposi said, prevented the party from organising effective campaigns across the state.
He noted that issues surrounding the party’s logo and leadership have now been resolved.
Olaposi said after an emergency National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja on Friday, the party directed its Lagos members, under Anikè Adebowale, the state chairperson, to support another political party with similar ideological leanings.
He, however, did not identify the party.
