2027: NNPP to adopt frontline presidential candidate soon – Aniebonam

 

 

Maureen Aguta

The founder of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr Boniface Aniebonam, has said the party will soon announce a frontline presidential candidate it intends to adopt for the 2027 general election.

Aniebonam disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, explaining that prolonged litigation over the party’s leadership had left it with insufficient time to select and process a presidential candidate capable of competing with candidates of other major political parties.

 

He said although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised the NNPP leadership led by Dr Agbo Major as the party’s national chairman, the recognition came too late for the party to conclude its search for a suitable presidential candidate.

“Indeed, INEC recognised the NNPP led by Dr Agbo Major as the national chairman, but the time was short between the recognition and the process of getting a candidate.

“We had a placeholder candidate while shopping for an authentic presidential candidate with character and capacity for the 2027 election,” he said.

The NNPP founder said the party remained committed to its manifesto and the principles guiding its choice of a presidential candidate, adding that it was determined not to repeat what he described as the mistake of adopting Rabiu Kwankwaso as its candidate in the 2023 presidential election.

“The NNPP is firm with its manifesto and requirements for a presidential candidate. We made a mistake with Kwankwaso in 2023 and do not want to repeat it,” Aniebonam said.

He stressed that the party was not desperate to take power at all costs, maintaining that its approach to politics was guided by the belief that leadership should not be treated as a do-or-die affair

“The NNPP is not desperate to rule Nigeria at all cost. We believe that God has the final say and that the Almighty decides who can lead a nation, hence our stance on politics not being a do-or-die affair,” he said.

Aniebonam disclosed that the party’s leadership across the country would meet soon to finalise the adoption arrangement and formally communicate its decision to Nigerians.

“The one thing that is sacrosanct is that we will adopt a candidate that we believe is best for Nigeria and Nigerians,” he added.

He said NNPP members, maritime practitioners, shippers and other critical stakeholders in the maritime transport and logistics sectors would also contribute to the process of selecting the presidential candidate the party would adopt for the 2027 election.

 

Despite its decision not to field a presidential candidate, Aniebonam maintained that the NNPP would participate in other elective positions nationwide, describing its candidates’ participation in the 2027 elections as non-negotiable.

“For now, the only position we will no longer be contesting for is the presidency. By 2031, we would have elected a presidential candidate to compete favourably with other political parties,” he said.