The New Nigeria’s People Party (NNPP) disclosed on Saturday their ongoing discussion with Labour Party (LP) for a merger in the 2023 general elections.
Their intention is to present the presidential candidate of both political parties – NNPP’s Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Anambra State governor on a joint ticket.
In NNPP’s tweet on Saturday, they wrote: “we wish to inform Nigerians that, our discussions with Peter Obi and the Labour Party are still ongoing.”
NNPP further explained that the two political parties have set up a joint “special committee was set to discuss arrangements.”
Kwankwaso on BBC Hausa also hinted on the possibility of a merger with Labour Party, LP and a joint ticket with Obi. According to him, “it is true we are in talks with Peter Obi and a committee is working to look into how to form a merger between us, friends and family are being up and doing talking about the merger arrangement.”
Meanwhile, Kwankwaso is also well known for his dealings in making alliances with political parties to win elections.
In the 2015 election, Kwankwaso with some governors worked for the remover of former President Good-luck Jonathan to formed the new PDP before a host of them later joined the newly formed APC where President Muhammadu Buhari won.
It is worthy to note that, the NNPP has a growing membership base in the north. Some of its registered prominent members are President Buhari’s former right-hand, Ibahim Buba and a former minister of youth and sport, Solomon Dalung.
Obi, who recently defected from the PDP and joined the Labour Party, appeals to a large youth following in the southern region of Nigeria.
Although, Obi is still silent on the matter Kwankwaso said Labour Party and NNPP will benefit in the next election if only they can reach an agreement. ” The merger is important because as you can see both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not pick their running mates from the South-east.
NNPP also believes that if they could reach a good result from their merger plan discussion, Nigeria will live again. “will give Nigeria a chance to be alive, once again .”
