Politics
NNPP is not part of deceptive zoning controversy midwifed by PDP, APC, says National chairman, Alkali
*** ‘We will shock those who take us for granted’
National chairman, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Professor Rufai Ahmad Alkali has distanced the party from the zoning controversy that has been rocking the two foremost political Parties.
Speaking on Saturday during a press conference held at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja he said,
“This party is going beyond the issue of zoning, we want to carry everybody along so what we are going to have, we will have inclusive Government”
He said they have inaugurated a committee two days earlier to fashion out the mechanisms that will make it easy to carry everybody along
“For now we are not going to enter into unnecessary controversies with political parties who came up with rotation and zoning but who also violated them.
“They came up with the concept. The only thing you must know is that they are violating it because these issues have not been captured in the Nigerian constitution, that is why some of them are at liberty, today they say zoning tomorrow they say no zoning. NNPP is not part of it”
According to Rufai, NNPP will shock those who take it for granted as he reiterated the fact that the party is not a third force but foremost
“It is pertinent to remind you all that this great political party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) was formed over 21 years ago.
“However, ahead of the 2023 general election, we have taken far reaching steps to re-launch and reposition the party as one of the major political parties in the country.
“Given the massive support we have received and continue to receive so far from people across the country, we are very confident and optimistic that very soon and in no distant future it would move from its current ranking as the ‘third force’ to the top in Nigeria’s political space
“So far, in the last few months, the party has successfully conducted ward congresses in all the local government areas across the country; the local government congresses; the state congress and national convention were also conducted peacefully on March 30th which produced the National Leaders of the party.”
He said they are bold to say that their presence is now felt in all the 774 local government areas as Nigerians continue to embrace the party in bewildering and astonishing circumstances beyond imaginations.
“We the NNPP as social Democrats are desirous of opening the political space for all Nigerians. “Thus that was precisely why in order to encourage the youths, women and people living with disabilities, the party announced zero Kobo for the purchase of the Expression of Interest Form and a 50% discount for the Nomination Form.
“This is a complete departure from those plutocrats who are asking Nigerians to cough out over N100 million just to purchase a piece of paper whose value is no better than the value of the paper upon which the humongous amount was written.
He indicated that the NNPP is the only party in Nigeria that has offered the youths less than 35 years of age fifty percent discount for the purchase of nomination forms.
This he said has led to an upsurge of youths to the party adding that the party is equal to the task as it has put in place all measures to avoid rancour during the forthcoming Primary election.”
According to him, the party has started the process of rebuilding their structures across country.
“As I stated earlier, we started from the wards to the Local Governments, to States, to the Zones and finally at the national level. We now have fresh ward structures all over the country.
“As you are all aware, since 1999, the political landscape in the country has been dominated largely by two political behemoth but has gradually and systematically lost touch with the realities on the ground.
“This is why today they are enmeshed in free for all cut-throat do or die politics. They have utterly forgotten the people and the soul of the nation.
“Unfortunately, with less than one year to the end of the current administration and despite several promises made to Nigerians, and the massive resources squandered, there has been no solution to the issue of insecurity of lives and properties in the country.
The Labour Party has dismissed allegations of a partnership with President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
The accusations were made by lawyer Deji Adeyanju, who claimed that the party’s leadership, including its National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, is collaborating with the ruling party.
In a statement issued by the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party described Adeyanju’s remarks as defamatory, baseless, and harmful to its reputation.
The party affirmed its commitment to its role as the leading opposition, citing its continuous critique of government policies and its push for reforms in Nigeria’s political system.
“The Labour Party has remained visible and vocal in interrogating system failures and proposing solutions. Our National Chairman, Barrister Abure, has been at the forefront of this effort,” the statement read.
The Labour Party highlighted key initiatives, including the formation of an Electoral Reform Committee to advocate for transparent elections and the introduction of e-membership registration to promote participatory democracy.
The party called on Adeyanju to provide evidence to substantiate his claims or withdraw his statement and issue a public apology.
It also warned against actions that could harm the party’s reputation and undermine its efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
Senate minority Leader and key member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus, Senator Abba Moro, has reiterated the party’s commitment to restructuring and regaining its electoral strength.
Speaking after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Assembly caucus meeting on Wednesday, Moro addressed concerns about the party’s recent setbacks and ongoing efforts to prepare for future electoral challenges.
Moro emphasized that the PDP remains resilient despite recent losses, including gubernatorial elections, and is strategizing to strengthen the party.
“We discussed the affairs of the party, particularly as we approach a critical meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC)to take vital decisions on the state of the PDP,” Moro said.
“We are intensifying efforts to ensure the party grows stronger and prepares for subsequent elections without distractions.”
Addressing allegations of vote buying in recent elections, Moro expressed concern over the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Everyone is worried about Nigeria’s democracy,” he said. “INEC has faced criticism, but every failure is a lesson. We must ensure that mandates stolen from the people, like in Edo State, are restored. Failure should become a mechanism for future success.”
Responding to criticisms of PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, Moro dismissed claims that his leadership has been detrimental to the party.
“The PDP is not just about one individual,” he stated. “Damagun is the acting chairman, but PDP is about all its members. We are working round the clock to return the PDP to its winning ways.”
He also downplayed the influence of PDP members like FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who has been associated with the APC.
Moro likened such political dynamics to bipartisan endorsements seen in the United States, emphasizing that PDP remains focused on rebuilding.
“Anyone working against the PDP today will have to contend with the resilience of PDP members,” he warned.
Highlighting the party’s long-standing reputation, Moro described the PDP as a resilient brand that has always bounced back from challenges.
“PDP is a brand,” he declared. “Despite temporary setbacks, we will bounce back. Once our electoral laws are strengthened, future election results will not be the same.”
When asked who should be blamed for the party’s challenges, Moro refrained from finger-pointing, stating:
“The most important thing is that something is not right. We are working to fix it, and we will get it right.”
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from the PDP Senate caucus to revitalize the party and ensure better outcomes in upcoming elections.
***Describes Process as “Victimless Crime” in Scathing Critique
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has issued a critical assessment of the recent Ondo State Governorship Election, labeling it an “Ondo Auction.”
Adebayo argued that the election was less about genuine democracy and more about transactional politics, with “willing buyers” and “willing sellers” dominating the process.
Taking to his X account, Adebayo suggested that the Ondo election could serve as a case study for the Central Bank’s foreign exchange practices, given the efficient “marketplace” nature of the vote.
He lamented what he saw as a lack of authentic voter engagement, claiming that ballots appeared to be traded as commodities rather than cast with genuine intent.
Adebayo extended his criticism to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and major media outlets, whom he accused of watching passively as the alleged auction unfolded.
Offering sarcastic congratulations to those who “purchased” the victory, he sympathized with voters, whom he felt had unknowingly relinquished their democratic power in a flawed process.
Quoting a biblical phrase, “Father Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do,” Adebayo expressed sadness over the state of democracy in Ondo and called for divine intervention to steer Nigeria towards a more transparent electoral future.
In his post, Adebayo remarked: “The Ondo State Governorship Election of yesterday is what criminologists would term as victim-less crimes: a spectacle of willing buyers @OfficialAPCNg meeting willing sellers in a perfect market that should be an example for @cenbank in the foreign exchange markets. Ondo Auction is smoother than the Dutch Auction. Four years sold so freely and openly that no one should lie that they were coerced or intimidated or browbeaten. And @PoliceNG and @inecnigeria @AIT_Online @ARISEtv @KAFTAN_TV @channelstv @NTANewsNow all witnessed it live.
“No one should pretend that they need someone to interview over this. It is in order to congratulate the buyers on their purchased ‘victory’ while shedding some tears for the sellers with the Calvary elegy that ‘Father Forgive Them For They Knoweth Not What They Do.’ God Bless Nigeria and may God Guide Ondo State.”
Adebayo’s post has since sparked conversation across the country, with calls for reform and a stronger commitment to electoral integrity in Nigeria.
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