The 2023 presidential candidate and national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Senator Rabi’u Kwakwanso, has described the party as an alternative to the “failed Peoples Democratic Party and failing All Progressives Congress.”
Kwankwaso, an ex-defence Minister, emphasised that Nigeria possesses sufficient resources and manpower to address insecurity.
He guaranteed that the NNPP would introduce a revitalising change for citizens and the nation as a whole.
The ex-governor of Kano State stated this during the party’s national convention, which took place at the A-Class Event Centre in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday.
The gathering, attended by NEC members, state chairpersons, and federal and state lawmakers, confirmed the appointment of Ajuji Ahmed as the acting national chairman of the party. Additionally, it approved the party’s constitution, slogan, and logo.
He likened the ruling APC and the PDP to birds of a feather, suggesting that both parties have inflicted immense suffering on Nigerians with their unpopular and inhumane policies.
Regarding the parties’ status, he asserted that while the PDP has already failed, the APC is currently faltering.
In contrast, he emphasised the NNPP’s rapid growth as a party in Nigeria, highlighting its understanding of the significance of education in alleviating poverty and ensuring the security of lives and property.
He said, “We are all aware that the PDP has completely failed. Many of us decided in 2014, and 2015 to bring in some positive changes. Unfortunately, we have seen what happened from 2015 to date. This is the same APC government.
“Therefore, as far as we are concerned, we have a failing party that is the APC and we believe that this country requires an alternative to the APC and of course, the PDP and the only party, in my opinion, and based on facts, because the NNPP today is the fastest growing party in this country.
“I also believe even beyond this country, that is the only hope as we stand today. In many parts of this country, especially in northern Nigeria, particularly in my part of the north, so many people have been chased out of their homes, and so many have been killed. Some are in the bushes now in the forest under the care of bandits and other criminals. And it looks like many people don’t care.
“It is even becoming a normal thing to go and pick up people in their homes, on the roads, in the markets and so on. I believe it is only in this country that this sort of nonsense is happening. And it is the responsibility of every government, responsible government to ensure the peace of its people.
“I believe, as a former minister of defence in this country, as a former chief security officer of Kano State for eight years, and so on, I believe that we have adequate resources, we have enough manpower, we have all that it takes to protect Nigerians to peace in this country today. So it’s an opportunity for me to ensure that we bring on board a united, stronger, more peaceful, more prosperous Nigeria for all of us.
“Let me say that this party will continue to unite. Its members will continue to be fair and just to all of us. All our members will continue to have an internal democracy within the party so that everybody is allowed to attain his or her position.
“Let me also, at this point, thank all of you for selecting me to be the national leader of our party. I’m so proud. I’m so happy. And I want to assure you that I will do whatever it takes to ensure that this party grows from strength to strength.”
On his part, Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, thanked those who supported the party during the campaigns and legal battles.
He noted that the NNPP ranks as the third-largest party in Nigeria, boasting approximately 21 federal legislators, nearly 30 state legislators, as well as one governor and one deputy governor.
