The New Nigeria Peoples Party responded on Sunday to media rumours that its standard flagbearer, Rabiu Kwankwaso, could replace the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The party stated that the reports were misleading and embarrassing.
There have reportedly been reports of an alliance between the NNPP and the Labour party.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, the presidential candidate of the NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, stated that negotiations were ongoing to achieve a successful merger between his party and the Labour party. Kwankwaso did not indicate which of himself and Obi would serve as his running mate, but he did highlight that the union would be vital for the 2023 general election.
But the NNPP in a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Dr Agbo Major, noted that the party got waves of media reports stating that Kwankwaso could deputise Obi.
“NNPP has never at any time said its esteemed presidential candidate, His Excellency, Dr. Rabiu kwankwaso, could accept to be the Labour Party, Peter Obi’s deputy. The report is misleading and embarrassing to our great party, its presidential candidate, Kwankwaso and millions of supporters in Nigeria and the diaspora, and urges journalists to crosscheck their reports before publishing them to avoid national disaffection ahead of the crucial 2023 general election.
“As a mass movement, the NNPP acknowledged alliance talks with Labour Party that would consolidate and boost the nation’s frail democracy as we collectively strive for a new Nigeria which the party champions.
“The Sunday Trust newspaper correctly stated in its report; “Asked to verify the proposed alliance, Major (Agbo) said talks were still ongoing and he wouldn’t want to speculate.” If the party ‘s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Agbo Major had said “talks were ongoing and he wouldn’t want to speculate,” how did the newspaper arrive at Kwankwaso can deputise Obi?
“The NNPP has high regard for journalists as the watchdog of the nation and major stakeholders in Nigeria’s democratic process and urges them to always crosscheck their reports before publishing them in tandem with the ethics of their profession. Together, we shall build a strong, virile, progressive and egalitarian democratic society.”
