The New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) has announced that it will not field a presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, choosing instead to explore possible alliances with other political parties. The party emphasized that the country's current situation requires political parties to place national interest above partisan ambitions.
NNPP's Decision on Presidential Candidate
The party's National Chairman, Bala Yunusa Mohammed, disclosed this in Abuja during the 11th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. He explained that the party had resolved not to sponsor a presidential candidate. The NEC meeting was convened to ratify decisions arising from the party's consensus-based primaries and to formally approve candidates selected across states and the Federal Capital Territory for various elective positions.
Mohammed stated: "We are here today to have our National Executive Committee meeting, which is the second-highest organ of the party. We are here to ratify some decisions taken during the conduct of our selection process because we adopted the consensus model as provided for in the Electoral Act 2026. For now, we are not going to have any presidential candidate in our party. However, we are open to alliances. Nigeria is in a very difficult situation and we need to see other parties that can produce a credible and focused presidential candidate. If such a candidate emerges, there is nothing wrong with joining forces to support that person."
He noted that the party had completed the process of selecting candidates for governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and state assembly elections nationwide. Mohammed clarified that the party had not entered into discussions with any specific political party and would first assess candidates produced by various parties before deciding on any alliance.
Rationale Behind the Decision
The chairman said the NNPP's decision was informed by political realities and the need to avoid contesting merely for the sake of participation. He added: "We do not have any political party in mind. We want to see what other parties have produced as their authentic presidential candidates. Then we will examine their credentials and determine whether there is a basis for collaboration. There are over 20 political parties registered by INEC. We cannot all field candidates simply for the sake of fielding candidates. We must be realistic. If we have a viable and qualified candidate, we will present one. If we do not, then we can support a credible alternative in the national interest."
National Secretary's Report
Speaking earlier, the party's National Secretary, Dipo Olayoku, presented a report detailing activities leading to the NEC meeting and the ratification of candidates for the 2027 elections. Olayoku said the meeting marked the culmination of political activities that began at ward, local government, and state levels across the federation.
He stated: "Today's gathering is the climax of political activities which started from the wards to the local governments and then the states of the federation to elect our candidates at all levels who will fly the flag of the party in the 2027 general election. For the first time since the party was formed in 2002, we won a governor's seat in Kano State and secured seats in the National Assembly, state legislatures, and local governments."
He explained that the NEC meeting was convened in compliance with Sections 84 to 87 of the Electoral Act 2026, which require political parties to ratify primary election outcomes in the presence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Acknowledgment of Challenges
The national secretary commended INEC for its role in strengthening Nigeria's democratic process and thanked party officials and members across the country and in the diaspora for their contributions. He acknowledged that the NNPP had faced setbacks in recent years, particularly following the defection of elected officials and appointees who emerged under its platform.
He added: "The past three years have not been easy for this party. Many of those we worked hard to bring into office have left in the name of political realignment. Some left on good terms, while others departed under less favourable circumstances. That is the nature of politics."
