The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) says the spokesperson of the Kwankwasiya Movement, Ladipo Johnson did not resign from the party but simply joined his mentor , Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso in the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The party also stated that it has no affiliations with the NDC and do not intend to do so in the build up to the 2027 general elections.
Recall that Johnson, a Lawyer, who often posted statements as NNPP publicity secretary with the Kwankwaso group, announced his resignation from NNPP on Thursday amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Johnson announced his resignation in a letter dated May 4, which was made available to the media on thursday, the correspondence was addressed to the chairman of NNPP Ward G1 (Shitta/Ogunlana Ward) in Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos State.
In the letter, Johnson said said his resignation from the NNPP takes immediate effect, citing the need for a “broader national realignment of the opposition.
In a statement on Friday, the NNPP National Secretary, Mr Ogini Olaposi said Johnson had continued to present himself as the party’s spokesperson even when his boss, Kwankwaso joined other parties.
“Kwankwaso and Buba Galadima, major actors in the NNPP internal wranglings have declared membership of other parties, yet few of their followers still clung to the title of NNPP membership.
“They use the party’s name to issue statements even in favour of Kwankwaso’s new parties.
“A few days ago, Ladipo, who knew where he is going, made a statement that was carried by the media that the NNPP will hold its primaries before May runs out, knowing he was leaving.
“He was among those expelled for anti party activities from the NNPP but had continued to drag, even when the initiators had given up.”
According to Olaposi, expulsion of members of the Kwankwasiya Movement and their leader, was even certified by an Appeal Court in Owerri and the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
“It therefore stands to reason that they have no party and so, did not resign from the NNPP.
“What is most saddening is that INEC is aware of all these shifts to other parties and had refused to upload the authentic leadership of the NNPP to its website.
“Every Nigerian knows that Kwankwaso, our 2023 presidential candidate and Galadima are in other parties. INEC is aware too. Now the last of them have left, yet we begin to wonder why INEC has continued to disobey court orders on the real leadership of NNPP.
“It is on record and a fact that the Federal Capital Territory High Court had since made an order restraining INEC from dealing or transacting any business with these group of people.
“One begins to wonder what all these resignation from NNPP is all about when they are no longer members of the party,” he said .
Olaposi noted that INEC had even defied the latest directive of the Appeal Court Owerri to update its records and reflect the authentic leadership of the NNPP within 72hrs.
“It is most unfortunate and regrettable that INEC is yet to comply, 30 days after.
“If truly we want to get it right in Nigeria, conscience and obedience to rule of law must come into play. It is God that crowns and anything built on falsehood will never stand the test of time.
“We keep wondering how people can decide to fight for what do not belong to them, even after leaving it,” Olaposi added.
