The Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to create an avenue that will give opposition parties the leeway to have their way and contribute meaningfully to democratic principles in Nigeria.
Gwarzo stated this during the verification exercise conducted by INEC at the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) national headquarters on Thursday in Abuja.
He called on the electoral body to come out with measures that will guarantee the survival of opposition parties and promote vibrant opposition in the country. He said opposition are oxygen of democracy as it promotes healthy democratic ideas anywhere in the world.
He said the NNPP is leaving no stone unturned as it is already repositioning and strategising against 2027 with the aim to capture more states and take over power at the federal level.
“I welcome our August visitors from INEC who I understand are here purposely for annual verification of political parties. We know this is a routine verification being carried out annually to ascertain the position and status of political parties in the country. We are very proud to see you (INEC) today and to be with you in this office.
“I’m representing the government and governor of Kano State which happened to be the only NNPP government we have in the entire federation. We thank God and we are looking forward, God wiling and by His Grace, take over this country in the nearest future. I bring greetings from Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf who prays for successful conduct of the Committee assignment.
“This is no time for long speech but we all know what is going on in the country especially as it affects the development of democracy in the country particularly where affects the activities of the opposition parties. In Nigeria, you have to get ready for the challenges that you will be facing.
“Challenges that are being orchestrated from outside the party. It is becoming a norm and tradition unfortunately for our politics and having a government that has control of power at the top usually use to deploy so many tactics of stifling the opposition in the country. And I don’t think that will do any good to our democracy.
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“We’re appealing to INEC through this Committee to come out with measures that will guarantee survival of opposition parties and that will also guarantee vibrant opposition in the country which I believe is the oxygen of democracy in any good setting.
“Without vibrant opposition, you can hardly boast of any democratic development in our country. So, we are appealing to INEC through this Committee to develop and evolve ways and means of ensuring and guarantees survival of opposition parties and guarantees vibrant opposition for the health of our democracy. NNPP, as a party, we give glory to God, because we have a state (Kano) without any exaggeration, is the California of Nigeria.
“We have 40 members in the state House of Assembly and we can boast of 26 members, 2 are preparing for elections, so the opposition has 12 seats out of the 40. There are 24 House of Representatives members from Kano out of which 18 are NNPP. Then we have 2 senators out of three from Kano State. That tells you how strong NNPP is in Kano State. Then the leadership and members of this great party is solid and intact.
“We have processed some changes because life is dynamic. Changes are inevitable. We’ve effected some changes in our Constitution, our symbol and our flag, which was duly communicated to and duly assented to INEC. We’ve taking and follow all due processes as law-abiding citizens.
“We are now repositioning ourselves, restrategising. We have lost the 2023 elections, we’re determined, we are working very hard to take more states and to take the government at the Centre come 2027. That is our vision, that is our ambition,” the deputy governor stated.
The Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Yusuf Falgore, while welcoming the INEC delegation, said members will continue to remain loyal to the national leader of the party and former presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for what he has done for them and the party at large.
“On behalf of the NNPP state Assembly members, we really appreciate your visit. I want to assure Nigerians that we the state Assembly members remain loyal to our party under the leadership of our leader, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the party.
“We know what he did for us and insha Allah, we’ll not betray him and we remain loyal to him forever. May Almighty Allah bless us and bless our nation at large,” the Speaker said.
The national chairman of the party, Dr Ajuji Ahmed, in his earlier remarks, accused a group of expelled former members of party “who have made themselves tools in the hands of another party and are being used to cause disunity and disaffection within the ranks of the New Nigeria People’s Party. They have gone around spreading falsehoods and propaganda, unfortunately aided by some in the 4th estate of the realm. They claim that the management of the party has been handed over to them.”
He added, “The fact that the electoral umpire, the regulator of parties, INEC have come here today to perform their statutory duty, shows that we have been, we are, and by God’s grace, shall continue to be the New Nigeria People’s Party.”
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