Kwankwaso’s Faction Declares NNPP Convention Invalid, Labels Major’s Election Illegal

The convention, led by Major’s faction, also saw the election of Oginni Olaposi as National Secretary, Felix Chukwurah as Deputy National Chairman (South), Adetoyese Omokanye as National Treasurer, Babayo Muhammed as Deputy National Chairman (North), and Abdulrasaq Abdulsallam as National Publicity Secretary.

During the event, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Mohammed Babayo, urged the newly elected officials to lead with integrity and dedication, emphasizing the need for unity and hard work to strengthen the NNPP in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

Kwankwaso’s Faction Rejects Major’s Election

In response, the Kwankwaso faction dismissed the convention, calling Major’s faction a renegade group trying to deceive the public.

NNPP Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, stated that Ajuji Ahmed remains the legitimate National Chairman, officially recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies.

“They are no longer members of the party. They were expelled and continue to act against court rulings. There is an existing injunction from the High Court of Abuja removing their powers. They are now being used by opposition parties, especially the APC,” Johnson said in an interview with Punch.

Johnson accused Major’s faction of undermining the NNPP, particularly in Kano State, where the party is fighting to retain its only governorship seat.

“They’ve revealed their true intentions by aligning with the APC on several issues, including local government elections and the Supreme Court ruling on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s election. Their goal is clear—to destabilize the NNPP from within,” he added.

The Kwankwaso faction also noted the absence of key party figures, including Kwankwaso himself, at the convention, arguing that this rendered the election invalid.

Johnson further criticized Major’s faction for allegedly misrepresenting the party’s official logo, clarifying that the true symbol of NNPP includes an education book and cap, with red, white, and red colors.

Legal Battle Over Party Leadership

The dispute stems from a November 1, 2024 ruling by the Abia High Court, which ordered the reconstitution of the NNPP’s leadership from the ward level to the national convention. The ruling mandated INEC to recognize the new board, which Major’s faction claims as the basis for their legitimacy.