Rufai, former NNPP National Chairman, dumps party

Former New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) National Chairman Prof. Rufai Ahmed has resigned.

In a statement released Tuesday in Abuja, Rufai explained that he had made the decision to step down “after consulting widely.”

The move by Rufai has been seen as a devastating blow to the already struggling party.

Former national chairman, who stepped down on March 31, said he was willing to leave the post so that the organization might benefit from the fresh perspectives of new leaders.

I resigned as national chairman because I wanted the NNPP to quickly capitalize on the party’s undeniable success in the 2023 general elections and begin preparing for further elections.

Several incidents of suspension and counter-suspension of prominent leaders have occurred over the past few weeks, and the party has fallen deeper and deeper into unnecessary crises and conflicts as a result.

An ugly press war with accusations and counter-accusations has unfortunately split the party in two.

Together with other clever, highly committed, diligent, and loyal members, we put in place a powerful political organization across the country after the party’s historic merger in March 2022.

The National Working Committee united our ranks and built a strong platform on which to run candidates for all seats in the government. It’s an honor to serve on such a stellar squad.

“It is on record that the party won a gubernatorial seat and several other slots in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly within a period of less than one year and despite the restricted time corridor from the merger to the general elections.

To help move the party ahead with new blood and ideas, I stood down as national chairman shortly after the general election.

“As far as I was concerned, I never bought into the idea that people in leadership roles should sit tight or that they were indispensable.

We intended to establish a new Nigeria on the pillars of loyalty, perseverance, and selflessness.

“Recent unsettling events that sparked competing groups are really unpleasant and counterproductive.

“Unfortunately, it looks like this pointless war of attrition isn’t going to stop anytime soon.

There appears to be an unspoken agreement among the competing parties that prevents party elders from serving as mediators in an effort to resolve the problems for good.

“This is really unfortunate and harmful to the long-term health of any political party, but especially a new one like the NNPP.

“Having consulted widely, I hereby announce the immediate withdrawal of my membership in the NNPP and I pray and wish the party the best in her future endeavours,” he said.

“remain calm and resolute while awaiting communications on future developments and our next direction,” Rufai urged his network.

A faction of the party recently announced the expulsion of Sen Rabiu Kwankwaso, the party’s candidate for the 2023 presidential elections, and Rufai’s exit follows closely on its heels.