The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has again, ruled out merger with the Labour Party (LP).
Kwankwaso, who spoke at an Editors’ Forum in Lagos, on Sunday, said he was surprised some people were still talking of possibility of the merger when window for that opportunity has closed.
Although he admitted that if both parties had agreed to fuse into one, the 2023 presidential election would have been easy for them to win.
“We have passed the level of any relationship. But it was a good idea. And if it had been possible, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would not be talking of the possibility of second balloting today.
“The contentious issue was who will be the presidential candidate and the running mate. The committees from both parties sat to look at the criteria and they said, ‘let’s start from the age, educational qualification, offices held’, but the committee from LP did not want that.
In his words, “They said there is sentiment from the South East that they never produced the president, therefore, Obi must be in the lead. Our side tried to explain to them that it does not work that way. There is sentiment everywhere, and nobody, by the Constitution we have today, can become president by winning election in his zone alone.
“He must have 25 per cent in 24 states of the federation. That means you have to cross to the other side and be acceptable to them, which is good for the unity and stability of the country.”
In addition, Kwankwaso promised to run inclusive governance, if he wins the presidential election, stressing that his party would salvage the country from its challenges.
He said: “Let me, on behalf of the members of our party, thank the leadership of New Afenifere for finding us worthy of this endorsement. I am not surprised that these young men have decided to endorse us because, even in Kano, North West, South, we have young men and women who are supporting this cause.
“I believe NNPP is for the young people, world and everybody. So, I want to thank you for the foresight and for doing the right thing. And I want to assure you that our party will carry each and everyone along at national level, zone, state and even at grassroots.”
