Newsbreak reports that as the 2023 election approaches, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Sunday, reacted to media reports that its presidential flagbearer, Rabiu Kwankwaso, could deputise the presidential flagbearer of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi.
Although the NNPP confirmed it is in talks with the LP for a possible alliance, it described the reports that Kwankwaso will be Obi’s running mate as “misleading and embarrassing.”
Recall that Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the NNPP, in a recent interview with BBC Hausa, confirmed that talks were ongoing to ensure a successful merger between his party and the LP. Though Kwankwaso did not suggest who would be the running mate between himself and Obi, he noted that the merger would be very crucial ahead of the 2023 general election.
The NNPP in a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Dr Agbo Major, noted that the party got waves of media reports stating that Kwankwaso could deputise Obi. It frowned at it.
“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,” NNPP’s statement reads in part.
While Obi has tentatively picked Doyin Okupe as his running mate, some of his supporters believe the latter could be substituted in the coming weeks.
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