The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has distanced itself from comments made by Yabuku Shendam, claiming he is not the party’s official spokesperson and that his remarks on a potential merger with other parties do not reflect the party’s position.
In a statement issued on Saturday, NNPP National Chairman Dr. Major Agbo clarified that Abdulsalam Abdulrasaq remains the party’s duly recognised National Publicity Secretary.
He said Shendam is not a member of the NNPP and is likely acting as a mouthpiece for Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s Kwankwasiya group.
Agbo’s statement was a direct response to Shendam’s recent remarks regarding a proposal by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar for a merger among opposition parties to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections. Shendam had reportedly stated that the NNPP would only consider the merger if Atiku agreed to support Kwankwaso’s bid for the presidency in 2027.
Agbo dismissed Shendam’s claims, emphasising that Kwankwaso was expelled from the NNPP by the party’s Board of Trustees in August 2023 due to anti-party activities and other serious violations of party rules. He added that Kwankwaso is no longer a member of the party and cannot be its presidential candidate in 2027.
He said, “The BoT, in its meeting on August 28, had expelled Mr Kwankwaso, and the decision was ratified by the National Convention of August 29 in Lagos due to anti-party activities and other serious infractions.
“Kwankwaso is no longer a member of our party; he cannot be its presidential candidate in 2027, and Shendam needs to know this.”
While Agbo acknowledged that the NNPP is not opposed to exploring options that could benefit ordinary Nigerians, he stressed that any such proposition must be carefully considered by the party’s founder and other founding members, as well as the current National Working Committee.
Agbo added that the NNPP is capable of winning the 2027 elections independently, but he also extended an invitation to opposition party leaders to join the NNPP in its mission to rescue Nigeria.
