It is completely false – NNPP reacts to rumor of Kwankwaso stepping down for Atiku

The New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP has dismissed claims that it’s presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso will step down for his Peoples Democratic Party’s counterpart, Atiku Abubakar.

This was confirmed in a statement by the National Chairman of NNPP, Rufai Alkali. He described it as completely false.

“It is completely false. We are not surprised at all that this story is coming out this way at this time. All discerning Nigerians have been following the pattern, he said

“They first said our candidate was going to step down for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. When we debunked it, they said the NNPP had surrendered to the Labour Party and Peter Obi. When we explained the circumstances, they kept quiet.

“Next, there was an attempt by our elders at the Arewa Consultative Forum dialogue for Presidential candidates to present their manifestos. We agreed with the organizers but we realized that there were forces working to undermine the process by using the platform to endorse a Northern candidate. When Kwankwaso did not appear, that project collapsed.

“In the past few weeks, our candidate presented his blueprint which came out very solid. He was at the AriseTV -CDD Presidential debate which was very successful. He travelled to the South-East, and spent three days in Enugu and Abakiliki.

“With all these achievements, fear has gripped them. They have now come up with another card that he is under pressure to step down. Step down for who? Under what circumstances? Has it happened in the history of democracy in Nigeria that a Presidential candidate with a strong party backing him, with Nigerians urging him to move on, will surrender his structures to someone else?