The National Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major, has declared that Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, is no longer associated with the party.

Speaking during an appearance on Daily Politics on Trust TV, Dr. Major emphasized that Kwankwaso ceased to be a member of the NNPP in 2023 and that the party has moved on from his involvement.

“Let me make it clear that there are more serious issues to talk about than to talk about Kwankwaso as a person. I’m not here to talk about him.”

“He’s become part of the history of NNPP. At a point, he came in, and at a point, he left with his Kwankwasiyya movement. So, I don’t want to talk about him,” he said.

Dr. Major pointed to court decisions validating this position.

“He’s gone by the provisions of the constitution of our party, and by the declarations that have been made across several courts of the land – the Abia high court judgement as well as the recent FCT high court.”

Reacting to recent defections from opposition parties, including the NNPP, the party chair highlighted that many of those who left had been core members of the Kwankwasiyya bloc.

“Kwankwaso came in with his people, the so-called Kwankwasiyya movement. And if you look at the CV of the people that have defected, you’d see that they were very active members of the Kwankwasiyya movement.”

“In fact, they were very instrumental to the success of the NNPP across Kano,” he explained.

According to him, these defections do not signal a crisis within the NNPP itself, but rather dissatisfaction with how the Kwankwasiyya group was being managed.

“Let me place it on record by saying that they didn’t defect from NNPP, because we are in touch with them.”

“All they keep telling us is that ‘we are with you, we have no problems with the party, we have no problems with the programs, but we have problems with the organisation that became part of you through which we came into the party and won election,’” he said.

Dr. Major cited the departure of key figures like Senator Kawu and two members of the House of Representatives as signs of growing discontent with Kwankwasiyya’s leadership style, but not with the NNPP as an institution.

“People have taken so much that they can’t stomach anymore. They’re telling the Kwankwasiyya movement ‘we are tired of what you are doing.”

“It has become a one-man show, we are tired of it, we are leaving’. But I can tell you that they are with us. We are in touch with them.”

He stressed the freedom politicians have within a democracy to choose their political paths.

“The beauty of democracy is the flexibility that politicians have to be able to move from one political party to the other.”

“If you are in a place where you are no longer comfortable, looking for instance at the vessels that brought you into that place, you are free and at liberty to walk away.”

Clarifying further, Dr. Major insisted, “But like I said, as a point of emphasis, I am still saying it and let it be on record that these people did not defect.”

While the public may interpret their departure as a defection, he argued that internally, the NNPP views them as allies who have merely distanced themselves from the Kwankwasiyya faction.

“These are people that we have had robust relationship with, and I will continue to place emphasis on that, that deep inside them, they know that they don’t have issues with the leadership of the NNPP.”

“The challenges that led to their departure have to do with the Kwankwasiyya movement and the way it is being run. The defectors are still our friends.”

When asked whether Kwankwaso’s rumored relationship with the presidency worried him, Dr. Major dismissed the concern.

“I want you to put yourself in my shoes. Would you be worried if somebody, who for over a year now is not being a member of your party, is walking into another political party? Why should that disturb you? Please let us discuss serious matters.”

“The man is gone. I told you that he is part of the history of NNPP. He came at a point and left. I don’t want to talk about him. I want to discuss things that would further enhance our operational capacity.”

He concluded firmly, “What I can tell you is that he is at liberty to go to wherever he wants, because we have no business with him. He ceased to be a member of this party since 2023 June.”

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has raised concerns over the internal divisions within the Labour Party in Lagos, revealing that the party is currently split into three separate factions.

This revelation came from the LASIEC chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, during a stakeholders’ forum held on Thursday in Ikeja.

She explained that the existence of multiple factions is posing a challenge to the commission’s preparations for the upcoming local government elections.

According to her, “The division has complicated the commission’s ability to effectively engage with the party ahead of the forthcoming local government elections.”

LASIEC is now awaiting a formal directive from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to determine which of the Labour Party factions will be officially recognised for the July 12 polls.

Despite these complications, Justice Okikiolu-Ighile restated LASIEC’s commitment to delivering a credible electoral process across the state.

“The foundation of a credible electoral process lies in building public confidence and trust—an outcome that can only be achieved through collective participation and accountability,” she said.

In line with efforts to deepen inclusivity, the LASIEC chairman announced that free nomination forms will be available to certain groups through their political parties.

These include women, persons with disabilities, and youths.

She encouraged political stakeholders to take active roles in promoting internal democracy, mobilising voters, and supporting the commission’s goal of creating equal opportunities for all contestants.

“We urge political stakeholders to support the Commission’s efforts in creating a level playing field for all contestants,” she said.

Justice Okikiolu-Ighile also reassured participants that LASIEC would continue engaging key interest groups to strengthen the electoral process.

Speaking at the same event, LASIEC Permanent Secretary, Folashade Omowole, emphasised the role of voter education in ensuring civic engagement and countering misinformation and electoral violence.

She reaffirmed the commission’s dedication to upholding democratic values.

“Credible elections reflecting the will of the people can only be achieved through collaboration, advocacy, and responsible leadership from all involved in the election process,” Omowole stated.