The New Nigeria Peoples Party, has reacted to reports that its presidential candidate and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, may accept to be the running mate to Peter Obi of the Labour Party, in the 2023 presidential election.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Agbo Major, who debunked the report in a statement, described it as “misleading and embarrassing.”
KEMI FILANI NEWS had recalls that Kwankwaso confirmed NNPP are in talks with his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, over a possible merger during an interview with BBC Hausa.
The statement reads; “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.”