NNPP Ratifies Yusuf As National Chairman, Rules Out 2027 Presidential Candidate

MJjjThe New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has ratified Bala Mohammed Yusuf as its new National Chairman during its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Saturday.

The decision comes on the final day for the submission of candidate nominations under the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking after his ratification, Yusuf said the party would not field a presidential candidate in the 2027 election but remains open to forming alliances with other political parties.

“It is not having a presidential candidate that matters. Nigeria is currently facing serious challenges. We need to see whether other parties will present a credible, competent, and focused presidential candidate.

“I don’t think there will be any problem joining forces with such a candidate,” he said.

He added that with more than 20 registered political parties in the country, not all of them must field candidates merely for the sake of participation.

According to him, the NNPP will carefully assess candidates presented by other political parties before deciding where to lend its support.

The chairman clarified that the party currently has no alliance with any political group, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“For now, we do not have a pact with anybody, including the ADC. We want to see the candidates other parties produce as their authentic presidential flag-bearers.

“Then we will work towards that,” Yusuf said, stressing that the focus is on supporting a viable and qualified candidate through collaboration rather than political compulsion.

Similarly, the National Secretary, Dipo Olayoku, in his report to NEC members, said the meeting was convened in fulfilment of Sections 84–87 of the Electoral Act 2026.

He noted that the ratification process, conducted under INEC’s supervision, adopted the consensus mode of primaries agreed upon by party executives and members across the country.

Olayoku recalled that the last NEC meeting, held in December, ratified the congresses that produced the current members of the party’s leadership.

He said that since then, the party had experienced setbacks, including the defection of elected officials and political appointees due to ongoing political realignments. However, he maintained that the NNPP remains strong and focused on rebuilding its structures.

The National Secretary commended INEC for its consistency in upholding democratic principles and acknowledged the leadership of Prof. Joash Amupitan at the commission.

He also appreciated state chairmen and diaspora members for their sacrifices and urged them to intensify efforts to surpass the party’s performance in the 2023 elections, when it won Kano State and secured legislative and local government positions.

Olayoku urged members not to be discouraged by defections, stressing that politics has neither permanent enemies nor permanent friends.

“Let us go out there and work for our candidates and achieve results better than what we got in 2023,” he said.