Again, Kwankwaso rules out NNPP merger with LP

• New Afenifere endorses Kwankwaso and promises inclusive governance

For the umpteenth time, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has ruled out a merger with the Labor Party (LP), saying those still talking about a possibility are unrealistic.

He admitted, however, that if the two parties had agreed to merge into one, the 2023 presidential election would have been easy for them to win.

Kwankwaso, who spoke at a publishers' forum in Lagos yesterday, said he was surprised that some people were still talking about the possibility of the merger when the window for the opportunity had closed. closed.

He criticized those who led LP in the negotiations for the merger, which were based on the feeling that the Southeast had never produced the president; therefore, Mr. Peter Obi is expected to emerge as a presidential candidate from the deal.

He said: "We have exceeded the level of any relationship. But it was a good idea. And if it had been possible, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) would not have raised the possibility today. of a second round.

"The contentious issue was who will be the presidential candidate and running mate. Committees from both parties sat down to review the criteria and they said, 'Let's start with age, education , the functions performed", but the LP committee did not want that.

“They said there was a feeling in the Southeast that they never produced the president, therefore Obi must be in the lead. Our side tried to explain to them that it was not working There's sentiment everywhere, and no one, under the Constitution we have today, can become president by winning elections in their area alone.

"It must have 25% in 24 states of the federation. That means you must cross over and be acceptable to them, which is good for the unity and stability of the country."

Kwankwaso, who said he was not opposed to the restructuring and amendment of the 1999 Constitution, said the problem with Nigeria is not the Constitution but bad leaders who do not have not made the Constitution work for the benefit of the country.

He said: "We are very open to discuss restructuring issues and do what the people want or agitation against the 1999 Constitution. If there is need for an amendment, we are open to it. But our problem is with the operators of the Constitution over the past two decades."

The former governor of Kano State said that Nigerians are fed up with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as they are the cause of the problems facing the country. He said the NNPP had come to breathe new life into the nation and restore its value.

He said, "There was no ideology behind the formation of the PDP other than to drive out the army. Afterwards, we realized our differences. So, we had to think about making a progressive party.

"Five of us PDP Governors had to move and join the APC training. We also realized that APC had problems and our expectations were disappointed. We decided to form a like-minded group. However, when INEC refused to register our party, we looked around and found the NNPP, which matches our beliefs and ideology.

“Like us, there are millions of Nigerians who are fed up with the APCs and PDPs. other parties have nothing more to say."

Responding to questions about how to resolve the perennial labor dispute between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the presidential candidate said the problem was funding.

He said that the Buhari administration, deficient in the management of the country's resources, does not have enough funds to solve the problem. He noted that the country is losing a lot of revenue due to insecurity and oil theft in the Niger Delta, in addition to its inability to explore mineral resources.

Kwankwaso, who has pledged to employ more soldiers if elected, said there was a need to strengthen the security forces in Nigeria and ensure a peaceful atmosphere for people to go about their business normal occupations. He also lamented that a large number of farmers remain in IDP camps due to insecurity.

Meanwhile, a group, under the aegis of New Afenifere, yesterday urged Nigerians to support Kwankwaso's aspiration, saying he has what it takes to deliver Nigeria from its challenges.< /p>

The coordinator of New Afenifere, Comrade Ajibade Adeyeye, who pointed out that the group chose to identify with Kwankwaso because of his background, said so during a meeting with the presidential candidate in Lagos. Adeyeye said it is time for Nigerians to take charge of their future by electing trustworthy leaders who have good intentions for the masses. He said, “On behalf of New Afenifere, we have decided to endorse the candidacy of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, along with his running mate...