NNPP Targets New Territories, Bayelsa Chapter Gets New Exco
By Enideneze Etete –Â As the political atmosphere heats up in Nigeria, with alliances, counter-alliances and mass defections drifting the polity to what many fear could foist a near-one party system or weak opposition to the ruling party at the center of power, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) is plotting to expand its territory beyond Kano, where it has strong footing.
The NNPP has been watching the alliances at the national political landscape keenly and shrewdly making its scheming. Its founder and national leader, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has yet to give into overtures from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) which is not ready to leave power in 2027 and even beyond.
Kwankwaso did not finally acquiesce to the mega-coalition talks of the African Democratic Congresse (ADC), where Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was hopeful to get presidential ticket, which possibly could have impinged Kwakanso’s calculations, as they are both from the North.
Mr. Peter Obi’s speculated joint-presidential ticket of the ADC with Atiku, or an Obi-Kwankoso ticket of the ADC, further complicated the permutations, making both Kwankwaso and Obi to rebuff the so-called mega-alliance, being weakened by external forces, mostly from the ruling APC and moles.Same strategy is used to cause schisms in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), resulting to mass defections to the APC.
Though no official statement yet, feelers indicate that Kwankwaso and Obi may form alliance, with a merger of the ADP and Labour Party (LP). This is against the backdrop of the wobbling ADP mega-arrangement, and the disposition of the North to further allow the South have its way to central power in 2027, to complete two-term.
The North’s disposition in this regard is also said to be anchored on working for a candidate from the South, on condition of doing one term, a strategy for which the ADP was wooing former president, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to take another shot to the presidency via its ticket.
Whereas, Jonathan did not make hay to accept, even though Peter Obi was said to have indicated willingness to step down for him, and to work in a key cabinet position if the plan works out.
Seeing that Jonathan was perhaps not keen, Obi announced his resolve to serve a term, if given the ADP presidential ticket, a move that has attracted some Northern political gladiators to him.
But Obi’s permutation may have changed, as he wants presidential shot via a party other than the ADC and PDP. His being out of the picture in these two parties, points to the feeler that an alliance with Rabiu Kwankwaso was in the offing.
Perhaps to actualize the alliance, the NNPP has mandated its state chapters to make incursions into territories the party had no presence, in order to give it national spreed and get wider footing beyond Kano State where he has large fan-base and parts of the North.
Thus, the NNPP, a party with internal stability, is holding congresses across the country, with a view to enlarging membership size vital for the imminent alliance.
In Bayelsa State, the NNPP has held its ward, local government and state congresses, and has constituted new executive councils. The state congress took place on Monday, December 8, 2025, in Yenagoa, the capital city, preceded by ward and local government congresses on November 24 and December 1, 2025 respectively in all the 8 LGAs in the State.
“The State Congress was conducted by the State Congress Committee headed by Prof. Stanley Golikumo Mangiri with Barrister Apreala Kemezidiegha as Secretary. Other members of the Committee include Mrs Susan Gboribiogha and Uzairu Sunusi”, a statement by the party stated.
“INEC Officials led by the Head of EPM were present to monitor the State Congress.
“Delegates for the Congress were drawn from all the LGAs which elected the State Officers to steer the affairs of the Party in Bayelsa State. Other members and Stakeholders of the Party were also present.
“At the end of the election, Dr. Joel N. Tubonimi was re-elected as State Chairman to lead the Party in Bayelsa State. Other elected State Executives of the Party include Apu Ebipere Fidelis and Elder John Agulasa as Vice Chairmen for Bayelsa West and Central, Hon. Iniye Appah James as the State Secretary and others”, the press statement further stated.
“In his acceptance address, the elected State Chairman, Dr. Joel N. Tubonimi thanked delegates and members of the Party for the mature and peaceful conduct of the Congress. He also thanked Stakeholders for their support. The State Chairman also thanked the presence and cooperation of INEC Officials at the Congress particularly the Head of EPM.
“The State Chairman paid glowing appreciation to the National Leadership of the Party under Dr. Ajuji Mohammed and the National Leader Sen. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso for his sound and purposeful leadership. He also thanked the Speaker of Kano State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Jibril Isma’il Falgore for his massive support to the Party in Bayelsa State.
“The State Chairman called on his newly elected colleague Executives of the Party in the State to join hands in unity to further lift the Party and take the message of NNPP and the National Leader Sen. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to the nooks and crannies of Bayelsa State. The State Chairman vowed to do more to ensure NNPP becomes the Party of choice for all Bayelsans as we move towards 2027”, the party best its chest ahead of the forthcoming political turf.
