The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has dismissed speculations that it intends to collapse its structure with other political parties.
National chairman of the NNPP Rufai Alkali, in an interview with newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday, refuted reports that the party’s presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso was in talks with All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer Bola Tinubu.
Alkali said the party was not ready to surrender its legitimacy as a duly registered political party to any other party.
He noted that the window for mergers among political parties had already closed, citing the rules and guidelines for the 2023 elections released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Reacting to the defection of one of the party’s chieftains, Ibrahim Shekarau, Alkali said that the NNPP respected his decision.
“On Shekarau, we respect his judgment but will not allow the NNPP to be dragged into unnecessary controversy,” he said.
“We have great respect for him and he is also a person who believes in a better country. We respect his decision, whatever he has decided for himself.
