…Signals Openness to Opposition Alliance
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has announced it will not field a presidential candidate in the 2027 general election, choosing instead to prioritise the formation of a broad opposition coalition.
The decision was disclosed by the party’s National Chairman, Bala Yusuf, on Saturday during the 11th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja. The gathering also ratified the outcomes of the party’s recent primaries in compliance with the Electoral Act, 2026.
The NEC meeting coincided with the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the submission of candidates by political parties.
“For now, this is the last day for the submission of anything that has to do with the selection of candidates by the INEC guidelines. We are not going to have any presidential candidate in our party, but we are open to an alliance,” Yusuf said.
“It’s not for us to have a presidential candidate that matters. Nigeria is in a very difficult situation. We need to see if other parties will bring out a very good, credible and well-focused presidential candidate. I don’t think there will be any problem joining forces with them to have a good presidential candidate.”
Yusuf, however, dismissed reports suggesting that the NNPP is already in talks with other political platforms, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stressing that no formal alliance has been concluded.
According to him, the party will critically evaluate candidates presented by other parties before deciding where to channel its support.
The NNPP’s stance comes in the wake of significant internal shifts, including the defection of several high-profile members such as former national leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, and other elected officials.
In the 2023 election cycle, the party had presented Kwankwaso as its presidential flagbearer.
