NNPP ready to form coalition to unseat APC, Tinubu in 2027 — Chairman

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has expressed its readiness to join forces with other opposition parties to form a coalition aimed at unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

National Chairman Ajuji Ahmed made this declaration during the flag-off campaign in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, in anticipation of the upcoming off-cycle governorship election.

He said that the ongoing crises within opposition parties are strategic manoeuvres to ensure that Tinubu remains in power beyond 2027.

During the event, Ahmed presented the party’s flag to the governorship candidate, Olugbenga Edema. He described the campaign flag-off as a success and expressed optimism for a strong campaign leading up to the election.

Ahmed noted concerns about potential manipulation of the electoral process by the APC, asserting the importance of maintaining credible agents to oversee vote protection and counting on election day.

He acknowledged allegations of APC interference in opposition parties but insisted that it is crucial for those parties to uphold their integrity and remain united as a viable opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said, “The fear that the APC might want to manipulate the election is being expressed everywhere, no doubt in Ondo State. Wherever you have a ruling party, the ruling party might not want to have a good opposition around it, but at the end of the day, it is left to us to guard our votes on voting day by having a credible agent who will protect the votes and who will also be in charge of supervising the counting. Once we have that, we believe that there is nothing the APC can do as such.

“I do not believe that the APC is trying to create crises in opposition parties; I believe that the APC is doing whatever it can to ensure it wins the 2027 general elections. Certainly, there is evidence everywhere that they are interfering in other parties, but it is left for the other parties to maintain their integrity and ensure that they remain one and viable opposition to the APC before and after the 2027 general elections.”

Ahmed affirmed that the NNPP is open to participating in a coalition with other political parties for the election but is also prepared to contest independently if necessary.

Edema, the party’s gubernatorial candidate, encouraged voters to resist intimidation from the ruling party and reject any forms of vote-trading that could perpetuate the current economic difficulties. He asserted that the people of Ondo State are capable of safeguarding their votes and will not be intimidated.

Edema outlined his seven-point agenda, which focuses on food security, optimal healthcare services, improved road networks, youth empowerment, infrastructure development, industrialization, investment, and free education from primary to tertiary levels if he is elected.