The National Chairman of the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), Ajuri Ahmed, has hinted at a coalition of major political parties against the possible re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections. .
Ahmed was in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Thursday for the start of the NNPP campaign for the November 16 governorship election in the state.
He said it was part of ongoing talks in a bid to prevent the ruling APC from continuing in office beyond the 2027 elections.
He further advised political parties to prevent agents of the ruling party from causing divisions in their respective political parties.
However, he did not mention the other parties involved in the talks.
Ahmed noted that the NNPP will only be carried out if those involved fail to agree on the modalities of joint work.
“Our door is open to any coalition ahead of the 2027 elections. And if it doesn't work, our party is capable of standing on its own,” he stated.
Article page with financial support promotion
Fear of manipulation
He also raised fears that APC wanted to rig the state's November 16 gubernatorial election, promising that party supporters would vote and protect their votes from manipulation.
“The fear that the ruling party wants to manipulate the elections in its favor is expressed everywhere because the ruling party did not want any strong opposition party around it,” he said.
“It is up to them to protect their vote that day, by having credible agents on the ground who represent the party very well before, during and after the election.”
Ahmed, who also presented the party flag to the gubernatorial candidate, Olugbenga Edema, said opposition parties should not allow interference between their party members so as not to cause acrimony among them.
He said the only way to solve the problem was for other parties like the NNPP to maintain their integrity and ensure that they remain united before, during and after the elections, “otherwise the ruling party would turn the country into one political party.” before the 2027 elections.” choice.”
The standard bearer speaks
Speaking after receiving the party flag, Edema said his administration would provide free and compulsory education for students at all educational levels in the state.
“If I win, there will be no tuition fees in all our primary, secondary and tertiary schools in Ondo State. The APC should not be feared but challenged by voting massively for this party and people should respect their votes to ensure that the votes count this time,” he said.
Edema said his administration would implement a seven-point agenda dubbed: “The Ondo Divine Agenda” for the benefit of the people if elected in next month’s elections.
According to him, the people of the state will enjoy free health services for all citizens and promote policies for autonomy of local government administration to enhance wealth creation and sustainable development.
He promised to ensure accelerated development of rural communities as well as greater security in the state.
APC Kicks
Meanwhile, the APC in Ondo State lashed out at Ahmed over his comments on the crisis in the opposition parties.
The APC, in a statement, stated that it was not responsible for the crisis of the opposition parties, contrary to the accusations made by the ANPP president.
“Allegations made by the National Chairman of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), Ajuri Ahmed, that the APC is responsible for the crises in the opposition parties to retain power in 2027, are false and careless, and come from someone who should know better. ” APC said in a statement signed by its publicity director, Steve Otaloro.
READ ALSO: Utomi talks about the mega party planned before 2027
“The APC government led by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is focused on redesigning the country’s economy and has no time for politicking. It is the opposition parties that are weakening due to the lack of cohesion.
“We appreciate the role of opposition parties in alerting the ruling party through constructive criticism. However, before merging with other parties, they should resolve their internal crises. “A divided house cannot discuss mergers.”
Otaloro stated that the 2027 presidential election is not the party's current target as President Tinubu's term in office has just begun.
He said: “Ajuri Ahmed’s boast that NNPP will capture Ondo State is wrong. People are not animals to be captured. Furthermore, the NNPP gubernatorial candidate, Gbenga Edema, was a former APC member who defected after losing the primaries. “This indicates the lack of structure of the NNPP in Ondo State.”