The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has distanced itself from Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s reported plan to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as entirely personal.

Naija News reports that the party’s National Secretary, Dr. Ogini Olaposi, made the clarification in Lagos on Monday in response to Kwankwaso’s announcement that he and his Kwankwasiya Movement were ready to pitch their tent with the ruling party.

Olaposi stressed that Kwankwaso’s declaration only confirmed what the NNPP had maintained: that he is no longer part of the party. “At last, we have been vindicated. All negotiations by any party with Kwankwaso should be done in his individual capacity,” he said.

The NNPP official added that the party is now focused on rebuilding after the “crisis and litigations that Kwankwaso and his followers brought to the NNPP.” He further clarified that any alliances with other parties would be decided collectively by NNPP leadership, not by individuals.

“The NNPP has nothing against the ruling party, and if at any point before the 2027 general elections we think we should enter into alliance with APC or any other, it will be decided by all members. For now, we are putting our house in order nationwide, consolidating our structures and reconnecting with the people,” Olaposi said.

He also noted that the partnership between the NNPP and the Kwankwasiya Movement effectively ended after the 2023 general elections, adding that Kwankwaso’s political influence has waned since his fallout with the party.

“Kwankwaso has no political party. His political value dipped after betraying the NNPP, which gave him a free platform for his presidential ambition. Most of his core followers in Kano had already joined the APC long before now,” Olaposi said.

He warned Nigerians and political groups not to fall for claims that Kwankwaso speaks on behalf of the NNPP, describing any such negotiation as “null and void.”

Olaposi also criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for delaying the upload of the party’s new executive details following a court-ordered convention that ushered in Dr. Agbo Major as national chairman.