Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has firmly rejected allegations suggesting a secret power-sharing arrangement between himself, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP).
Speaking during an interview with the BBC, Kwankwaso dismissed the narrative as a fabrication, emphasizing that no such agreement was ever discussed or reached. The claims alleged that the three politicians had agreed to a rotation of leadership, with Atiku serving as president for four years, Kwankwaso taking over for another four years, and Obi leading for an eight-year tenure.
“I find these claims entirely baseless,” Kwankwaso stated. “Some people are spreading the falsehood that I agreed to a deal where Atiku would serve for four years, I would take over for another four, and Peter Obi would lead for eight. This is completely untrue; such an agreement was never made.”
Kwankwaso went on to accuse individuals within Atiku’s political camp of propagating the rumor to sway public opinion and gain political advantage. According to him, these individuals have been engaging with regional leaders and religious figures to advance the false narrative.
“This kind of deceit and dishonesty is precisely why many of us left,” he said, referencing his departure from the PDP alongside other notable figures like Peter Obi and Nyesom Wike. “They are now seeking our support to help the same people who once humiliated us achieve their ambitions.”
The allegations, which surfaced amid ongoing political alignments and preparations for upcoming elections, have sparked discussions about potential alliances within the opposition. However, Kwankwaso made it clear that the NNPP remains an independent platform committed to offering credible leadership to Nigerians.
“Our focus is on building a better Nigeria through a transparent and inclusive process. We will not partake in any backroom deals that compromise our principles or the trust of the people,” he stated.
Political analysts see Kwankwaso’s remarks as an attempt to assert the NNPP’s independence and dispel doubts about its commitment to democratic ideals. The development also highlights the strained relationships and lingering mistrust among key players in Nigeria’s opposition parties.
As the country edges closer to another election cycle, Kwankwaso’s rebuttal underscores the importance of clarity and integrity in political dealings, setting the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested political season.
