The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) says it will adopt a more rigorous process in selecting its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The party’s Founder and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Boniface Aniebonam, said the NNPP would not repeat what he described as the mistake associated with its 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Aniebonam made the position known in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday.
According to him, the party’s eventual presidential candidate for the 2027 election will not receive an automatic ticket.
He said all serious aspirants would instead undergo proper screening to assess their competitiveness, commitment to the party and loyalty to its leadership.
The NNPP founder disclosed that the party currently had three major presidential aspirants who would be screened before one of them is selected to replace the placeholder candidate recently uploaded on the portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The placeholder was reportedly submitted ahead of the 2027 general elections in line with electoral requirements.
Aniebonam attributed some of the party’s previous difficulties to prolonged legal disputes and internal disagreements involving Kwankwaso and members of the Kwankwasiya group.
He alleged that the disputes contributed to delays and the departure of some NNPP members to other political parties.
The NNPP founder also accused INEC of failing to comply promptly with certain court orders, which he said further complicated the party’s affairs.
Despite the challenges, Aniebonam said the party remained focused and determined to strengthen its political structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the party’s emergency National Executive Council meeting would consider issues including concessions for certain categories of candidates and reduced nomination fees.
The proposed meeting is also expected to consider whether the party should proceed with legal action against INEC over alleged non-compliance with court directives.
Aniebonam said the party was committed to creating what he described as a more inclusive political platform.
He stated that female aspirants and persons living with disabilities would be eligible for concessions under the party’s proposed arrangements.
The NNPP chairman also said the party remained open to electoral agreements with other political parties that shared similar political interests.
He further appealed to former members who left the party during its internal crisis to return, promising what he described as a level playing field for all members.
The development comes as Nigerian political parties begin early preparations for the 2027 general elections, with candidate selection, alliances and internal party organisation expected to dominate political discussions in the months ahead.
Aniebonam maintained that the NNPP would continue to pursue its political objectives while ensuring that its next presidential candidate was selected through a process designed to test both electoral strength and commitment to the party.
