AND IN RESPONSE TO THE MISLEADING CLAIMS BY COMRADE OGINNI OLAPOSI SUNDAY
The attention of well-meaning Nigerians has been drawn to a poorly reasoned, insult-laden, and politically partisan write-up authored by one Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday, who falsely claims to be the Secretary General of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Headquarters, Abuja.
For the avoidance of doubt, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday does not speak for the NNPP, nor does he possess the mandate, authority, or legitimacy to issue statements on behalf of the party. His write-up is nothing more than a personal opinion packaged as an official party position, and Nigerians are advised to treat it as such.
1. ON THE ATTEMPT TO RIDICULE SENATOR KWANKWASO’S POLITICAL VALUE
To describe Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as “over-rated” is either an act of deliberate mischief or a clear display of political ignorance.
Kwankwaso is:
A two-time Governor of Kano State
A former Minister of Defence
A former Senator of the Federal Republic
The architect of the largest grassroots political movement in Northern Nigeria, the Kwankwasiyya Movement
Political relevance is not determined by propaganda, insults, or sponsored narratives but by structure, ideology, and enduring followership. On these metrics, Senator Kwankwaso remains a major political force.
2. ON THE 2023 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND THE “ONE MILLION VOTES” NARRATIVE
The attempt to trivialize Kwankwaso’s performance in the 2023 presidential election is intellectually dishonest.
Contesting on a relatively new platform with limited national spread and resources, Senator Kwankwaso secured over one million votes, overwhelmingly from Kano State—defeating older, better-funded parties in their supposed stronghold. That outcome is not failure; it is evidence of deep-rooted grassroots strength.
Votes freely cast by Kano citizens are not a product of “deceit,” “ignorance,” or “hunger.” Such language is deeply insulting to the intelligence and dignity of the people of Kano State and must be condemned.
3. ON THE TALAKAWA PHILOSOPHY AND SOCIAL IMPACT
The Kwankwasiyya ideology is anchored on education, empowerment, and social justice. Thousands of beneficiaries of Kwankwaso’s local and foreign scholarship programmes—now doctors, engineers, lecturers, and professionals—stand as living testimony.
To reduce this legacy to mockery reflects elitism and disdain for the poor, not political insight.
4. ON THE FALSE CLAIM THAT KWANKWASO IS “WITHOUT TROOPS”
The claim that Senator Kwankwaso is a “garrison commander without troops” is a blatant falsehood.
Even if the Governor of Kano State and five hundred of his political appointees were to decamp to the APC, such a development would not diminish the mass followership of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Political appointees do not equate to the people. Kwankwaso’s support base runs into millions across Kano State and beyond, built over decades of service, ideology, and grassroots mobilisation.
Any such defection—hypothetical or otherwise—would not erode up to two percent of loyal Kwankwasiyya supporters. These are verifiable political facts, not assumptions. Anyone in doubt should conduct objective field research, not rely on armchair propaganda.
5. ON GOVERNOR ABBA KABIR YUSUF AND NNPP LEADERSHIP
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf emerged victorious in the Kano governorship election on the strength of Kwankwasiyya structures, sacrifices, and mobilisation. Attempts to rewrite this history are dishonest.
Political leadership is earned through credibility and mass support, not through threats, name-calling, or blackmail disguised as party discipline.
Even if the Governor of Kano State and five hundred of his appointees were to decamp to the APC, such a move would in no way diminish the mass followership of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Political appointees do not equate to the people. Kwankwaso’s support base runs into millions across Kano State and beyond, built over decades of service, ideology, and grassroots mobilisation. Any such defection, hypothetical or real, would not erode up to two percent of the loyal Kwankwasiyya supporters. These are verifiable political facts, not assumptions—anyone in doubt should conduct an objective field research.
6. ON COURT CASES, EXPULSIONS, AND INEC
The Nigerian legal framework is clear:
Internal party disputes remain internal until conclusively determined
No final Supreme Court judgment has extinguished Senator Kwankwaso’s political standing
INEC operates based on lawful processes, not media trials or selective court interpretations
Propaganda does not substitute for judicial finality.
7. ON PETER OBI AND ATTEMPTS AT DIVISION
The deliberate effort to pitch Peter Obi against Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is divisive and unnecessary. Both leaders command organic followerships in different regions of the country. Any alliance—past or future—must be based on mutual respect, equity, and national interest, not character assassination.
8. ON THE TONE AND INTENT OF THE WRITE-UP
The statement credited to Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday is:
Abusive rather than persuasive
Partisan rather than objective
More aligned with APC propaganda than NNPP ideology
It reflects personal bitterness and political desperation, not party policy.
*CONCLUSION*
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso remains:
A central figure in Nigeria’s democratic evolution
A leader with enduring grassroots legitimacy
A symbol of hope for the Talakawa
Attempts to diminish his relevance through insults, lies, and historical revisionism will fail.
History is clear. The people know their leader.
Signed:
Amb. Augustine Uzorma Okolie
Kwankwasiyya Faithful
South South
