The National Chairman of the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major, has declared that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is no longer a member of the party, claiming his membership ended in 2023.

Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, Major emphasized that Kwankwaso has become "part of the history of NNPP" and insisted the party has moved on without him and his Kwankwasiyya movement.

"Let me make it clear that there are more serious issues to talk about than to talk about Kwankwaso as a person. He's become part of the history of NNPP. At a point, he came in, and at a point, he left with his Kwankwasiyya movement," Major stated.

According to the NNPP chairman, Kwankwaso's departure is supported by "the provisions of the constitution of our party, and by the declarations that have been made across several courts of the land – the Abia high court judgement as well as the recent FCT high court."

Recent Defections Not Against NNPP

Major addressed the wave of defections affecting the party, particularly in Kano State, attributing them to dissatisfaction with the Kwankwasiyya movement rather than the NNPP itself.

"If you look at the CV of the people that have defected, you'd see that they were very active members of the Kwankwasiyya movement. They were very instrumental to the success of the NNPP across Kano," he explained.

The chairman claimed that despite appearances, the defectors remain aligned with the NNPP while distancing themselves from the Kwankwasiyya bloc. "Let me place it on record by saying that they didn't defect from NNPP, because we are in touch with them. All they keep telling us is that 'we are with you, we have no problems with the party, we have no problems with the programs, but we have problems with the organisation that became part of you through which we came into the party and won election'."

He added: "People have taken so much that they can't stomach anymore. They're telling the Kwankwasiyya movement 'we are tired of what you are doing. It has become a one-man show, we are tired of it, we are leaving'. But I can tell you that they are with us. We are in touch with them."

Relationship with Defectors Remains Cordial

Major emphasized that the relationship with politicians who have officially left the party remains cordial. "These are people that we have had robust relationship with, and I will continue to place emphasis on that, that deep inside them, they know that they don't have issues with the leadership of the NNPP."

When questioned about Kwankwaso's rumored ties with the presidency, Major dismissed any concerns: "Would you be worried if somebody – who for over a year now is not being a member of your party – is walking into another political party? Why should that disturb you?"

He concluded firmly: "What I can tell you is that he is at liberty to go to wherever he wants, because we have no business with him. He ceased to be a member of this party since 2023 June."