Rufa’i Alkali, the National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), late Wednesday said the party was still open to alliances as the 2023 general elections draws nearer.
The former presidential adviser on political affairs to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, made this known while addressing press men at a Lagos media parley.
Akali said NNPP is still very open to negotiations toward building the country.
NOTABLE QUOTE
In his words:
“Parties who want to discuss with the NNPP must do so as an equal partner and must share our views on the future of the country.”
“All parties are equal before the law.”
The former national publicity secretary of the PDP continued, “We are talking about the future of Nigeria.”
FLASHBACK
Clariform recalls that weeks of alliance talks between the New Nigerian Peoples Party and the Labour Party did not yield desired results which led the presidential candidates of the two parties’ – Mr Kwankwaso and Peter Obi to announce their respective running mates.
In Mr. Rabiu Akali’s words:
“When a party sits down to negotiate, they have to first try to understand themselves: what is it that they share in common–ideals, vision, manifestos, aims and objectives-to work together.”
He further added that parties should have a clear agreement on the level of the alliance either at the house of assembly, representatives, senate, governorship or presidential level.
According to Akali, “In politics we talk about capacity.”
The NNPP Chairman categorically stated that Nigeria cannot afford to make another mistake in 2023, adding that the NNPP would usher in fresh ideas on building the nation’s economy if given the mandate.
Speaking further he said, “NNPP is a Nigeria project and will usher in a spontaneous change in the nation’s polity.”
The NNPP party chairman boasted that the NNPP is the fastest growing political party in Nigeria and would inevitably get the support of the majority of well meaning Nigerians.
According to Mr. Akali, NNPP would stay consistent with its principles and policies, which will better the life of the average Nigerian.
Addressing the issue of power rotation, he said the concept of zoning is the bane of the nation’s polity.
The professor of political science said, “What Nigeria needs is leadership that people can trust and will deliver.”
He concluded, “If we want this country to change we must move beyond zoning and religious discuss.”
“We have passed the stage of contradictions of zoning and religious sentiments.”
TAKEAWAY
The NNPP however stated that interested allies should not come to a negotiation with the sole option that the NNPP presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, should step down his ambition for them.
