NNPP to ADC: Do Not Drag Us Into Anti-Tinubu Allegations

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on July 9, 2025, dissociated itself from allegations made by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which accused the Federal Government of sponsoring attacks against the opposition coalition formed to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration in 2027.

Earlier this week, the ADC’s interim National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, claimed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was deliberately targeting leaders of opposition parties.

According to him, this is particularly in the North East and North West, in what he described as a calculated attempt to weaken the emerging coalition.

The ADC had recently been adopted as the political platform for the 2027 general elections by the new opposition coalition formed on July 2.

However, Dr. Ogini Olaposi, emphasized that while the party recognizes the importance of strong political engagement, it should not be done at the expense of public order or through unverified claims.

Olaposi is the NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, and his comment came in a statement issued on Wednesday.

He stressed that political leaders must exercise restraint in their public statements to avoid misinterpretation or unrest.

According to Olaposi, the NNPP was compelled to respond after Abdullahi mentioned the party during media appearances and interviews.

These included live broadcasts, while accusing the APC of attacking opposition parties.

“Let it be known,” Olaposi said, “that the NNPP is not a part of the ADC coalition and should not be included in the ADC’s grievances with the Federal Government or the APC. Any claim linking us to such accusations is false and baseless.”

He further clarified that the internal leadership issues within the NNPP were not instigated by external forces, as Abdullahi implied, but stemmed from internal conflicts.

Specifically, Olaposi pointed to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his faction within the NNPP as being responsible for the leadership crisis, asserting that their actions were aimed at taking control of the party structure.

“Kwankwaso’s involvement with any political coalition does not equate to the NNPP joining such a coalition,” the party stated.

“We are not aligned with the ADC or any broader alliance at this time, and no one should speak on our behalf.”

Olaposi reiterated that the NNPP does not believe the APC or the presidency had any role in its internal challenges.

Instead, he attributed those problems to what he described as a breach of trust by members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

This is particularly after the expiration of the Memorandum of Understanding that guided the party’s 2022 presidential election strategy.

Importantly, the NNPP also rejected the framing of itself as part of the “opposition” bloc in the traditional Nigerian sense.

“We do not subscribe to the term ‘opposition’ in the negative way it is used in Nigeria,” Olaposi said.

“Being in another party does not mean nothing good can come from the ruling government.

“We consider ourselves responsible partners in the democratic process, working alongside other registered political parties.”

He explained that the party respects the role of institutions like the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and supports the idea of constructive engagement rather than confrontation.

The NNPP, he said, is committed to strengthening democratic institutions and processes through internal discipline and respect for constitutional frameworks.

Olaposi also criticized the tendency of politicians to bypass internal mechanisms in resolving party disputes, instead turning to the courts.

He said this habit has become a burden on Nigeria’s judiciary and a money-spinner for lawyers, pointing out that many of the issues could be settled internally if party members respected their own constitutions.

Finally, the NNPP warned those behind the newly formed coalition not to exploit its name or identity for political gains.

“We were registered by INEC as an independent political party to contest elections, not to join political gangs or coalitions seeking to attack sister parties,” the statement concluded.

As Nigeria moves toward the 2027 elections, the NNPP’s position signals a call for clarity, discipline, and mutual respect among political actors.

These are values it believes are essential for national stability and true democratic progress.

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