The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has warned the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, against choosing Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso as running mate, alleging that the former NNPP presidential candidate could eventually turn against them.
The NNPP said Kwankwaso’s political differences with the party after contesting the 2023 presidential election on its platform should serve as a warning to the NDC.
The party’s National Secretary-General, Ogini Olaposi, stated this in a statement on Monday, describing Obi’s choice of Kwankwaso as running mate as a “gross mistake.”
Olaposi said the NDC should have considered Kwankwaso’s political history before settling for him as Obi’s running mate.
He said, “This is why political parties must be careful of who they choose as running mates and flag bearers.
“Kwankwaso dragged a party that brought him to the limelight in the presidential contest, freely gave him a platform and did all it could to support him, and now thinks he is free from the wrath of God?
“Once a betrayer, always a betrayer, and posterity will prove us right.”
Olaposi alleged that Kwankwaso turned against the NNPP after the 2023 presidential election despite the opportunity provided by the party for him to contest on its platform.
“The rare opportunity NNPP gave to Kwankwaso in 2023, in addition to a free ticket, is what has brought him to the frontline of negotiations at the presidential level in Nigeria at the moment,” he said.
He further alleged that Kwankwaso’s actions contributed to the internal crisis in the NNPP and the departure of some members from the party.
