The National Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major, has stated unequivocally that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the influential leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, is no longer a member of the party.
Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, Major revealed that Kwankwaso parted ways with the NNPP in 2023, stressing that the party has since moved on from his influence.
“There are more pressing issues than talking about Kwankwaso,” he said. “He’s now part of NNPP history. He came in, and he left with the Kwankwasiyya movement. I don’t want to dwell on him.”
Major added that court rulings, including judgments from the Abia High Court and the FCT High Court, affirmed Kwankwaso’s exit from the party in line with the NNPP’s constitution.
Addressing recent defections within the NNPP, Major dismissed claims that the party itself is losing ground. Instead, he attributed the exodus to dissatisfaction with the Kwankwasiyya movement.
“Those who defected were deeply rooted in the Kwankwasiyya structure. Their exit was a protest against that movement, not the NNPP,” he explained. “We lost strategic and influential politicians, but not our party’s credibility.”
Major emphasized that many of the defectors remain in contact with the NNPP and continue to support its core values.
“They’ve made it clear – their problem is with the structure that brought them into the party, not the NNPP itself,” he stated. “Even Senator Kawu and others who left have maintained a cordial relationship with us.”
‘Kwankwaso’s Exit Doesn’t Concern Us’
Responding to questions about Kwankwaso’s alleged links to the presidency and future political moves, Major dismissed any concerns.
“Why should we be bothered about someone who left our party over a year ago? He’s free to align with anyone. He’s no longer our concern,” he said. “Kwankwaso is history. He left in June 2023.”
Major reaffirmed the NNPP’s openness to democratic shifts within Nigeria’s political landscape, saying political actors are free to move where they feel most aligned.
“This is democracy. If you no longer feel comfortable, you have the right to leave. But let it be clear – the defectors did not leave NNPP, they only walked away from the Kwankwasiyya movement.”
Despite the challenges, Major insisted that the NNPP remains united and focused on strengthening its internal structure, independent of any single political bloc.
