The National Working Committee of the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) has described the visit by its former presidential candidate, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State as a “deceptive ploy.”

This was disclosed following an emergency meeting held at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos after viral photos of the visit emerged on social media. The NWC of the party line the visit to the recent Abia State High Court ruling which is affecting the party's internal structure.

The NNPP just like the other political parties is battling an internal crisis that led to the expulsion of Kwankwaso, the Kano State governor, Abba Yusuf, and Kwankwasiya group members.

In a statement issued by the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Abdulrasalam Abdulrazaq, on Sunday, the party noted that Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiya group members were expelled from the party, and any attempt by the expelled members to represent the national executive is an act of “irresponsibility and impersonation.”

The NWC indicated that the expelled individuals were not recognized within the party and their claims of being leaders in the party are invalid.

At the heart of the controversy is the Abia State High Court ruling, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to transfer the party’s administration to the Board of Trustees, led by Dr Boniface Aniebonam, in accordance with the NNPP’s 2022 constitution.

The NWC urged Otti to avoid involvement in the NNPP’s internal affairs, warning against any attempt by Kwankwaso to “destabilise” the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. “Governor Otti is a democrat, who respects the rule of law, and we trust he understands the separation of powers,” the statement said.