The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has elected Dr. Agbo Major as its new National Chairman at a convention held on Wednesday.
However, the absence of key party figures, including Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and former presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso, has sparked concerns over deepening divisions within the party.
Despite being one of the NNPP’s most influential figures, Kwankwaso was conspicuously missing from the event, along with other high-ranking members loyal to his faction.
The convention, which lasted from 9 p.m. on Tuesday until 4 a.m. on Wednesday, saw the election of several other party officials. Mr. Oginni Olaposi was named National Secretary, Chief Felix Chukwurah became Deputy National Chairman (South), and Alhaji Babayo Muhammed was elected Deputy National Chairman (North). Others elected included Mr. Adetoyese Omokanye as National Treasurer, Abdulrasaq Abdulsallam as National Publicity Secretary, and Hajia Aisha Kade as the National Woman Leader.
The gathering took place in the wake of a controversial court ruling from the Abia High Court on November 1, 2024, which ordered the NNPP’s Board of Trustees (BoT), led by the party’s founder Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, to overhaul the party’s structure from the ward level up to the national leadership. The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize the newly formed leadership.
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Addressing party members at the convention, Aniebonam defended the process, stating, “Today, the board shall conclude its assignment through a national convention to elect and establish its National Working Committee to take charge of its administration and management. In carrying out these responsibilities, INEC and other security agencies were duly notified.”
Despite assurances from party leadership that the NNPP remains united, the absence of key figures such as Kwankwaso has fueled speculations of an internal crisis that could further weaken the party ahead of the 2027 elections. BoT Secretary Alhaji Mohammed Babayo, however, dismissed such concerns, stating, “The party remains united and focused on its vision of providing credible leadership and governance that will prioritize the needs of Nigerians. The resolve to move forward is collective, and any speculation to the contrary would be baseless.”
In his first speech as National Chairman, Major attempted to rally support from disgruntled members, urging them to return and work toward strengthening the party.
“I thank all delegates present here today for this huge confidence reposed in me. I won’t take this trust for granted. The National Working Committee under me as elected today is poised to deliver. We are committed to repositioning our party for 2027, and this we will do vigorously,” he said.
The internal power struggle within the NNPP has been brewing since the party’s strong performance in Kano State during the 2023 elections, where it wrestled power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). However, tensions between the Kwankwaso faction and the party’s founding members have threatened its cohesion.
With Kwankwaso rumored to be considering political realignments ahead of 2027, the absence of his faction from the convention raises questions about whether the NNPP can remain a viable opposition force or if it will crumble under internal strife.
