Fresh Details Emerge Why NNPP Is Not Challenging Tinubu’s Victory
Buba Galadima, a leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), stated that the party refused to challenge Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election in court due to a lack of funds.
He said this while speaking with ARISE TV about the recent meeting between Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the NNPP and Tinubu, the incoming president.
A meeting between Tinubu and Kwankwaso in Paris, France, brokered by Kwankwaso’s ally and former Tinubu campaign coordinator, Abdulmumini Jibrin, a member-elect of the House of Representatives who defected from the APC to the NNPP before the general elections.
Both men are said to have discussed the possibility of forming a government of unity between the two parties, which could lead to a political alliance between the two politicians. He stated, “In Nigeria, everything is news. Ordinarily, a meeting between two political leaders would not elicit such elation from the populace.
“However, you are aware that Senator Kwankwaso ran against the president-elect in the 2023 election, where the NNPP finished fourth. However, after the competition, we were the only party that did not go to court, despite having credible reasons to do so. This statement speaks for itself and can be interpreted in multiple ways. “
In actuality, meetings of this nature and the concept of a unified government are nothing new in Nigerian politics. It occurred during the First Republic between the NCNC and the NPC, the parties of Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello.
There was also the formation of a unity government between the NPC and the NNDP, led by Chief Samuel Akintola of the Western Region. During the government of Shagari, the NPP led by Nnamdi Azikiwe had an agreement with the NPN government, which is also documented.
Therefore, history is repeating itself. It is therefore necessary to educate young people about their country’s history.”
In response to why the NNPP did not challenge Tinubu’s victory in court like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), and others, he stated that the party lacked the necessary resources.
“First, we must state for the record that Kwankwaso and I were expelled from the PDP. Therefore, we would not have run to prevent them from winning an election.
“However, we are also aware that even going to court requires a great deal of resources, which we did not have. Our performance was evaluated solely based on our credibility, not our wealth.
“Anyone who wishes to challenge an election in court must have at least 5 billion Nigerian naira.” “We cannot afford to do that,” he stated.
