ABUJA – The National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has challenged the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) to test its popularity in a free and fair.

Speaking at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party which held Thursday in Abuja, leader of the party and former Minister of Defence, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, said with credible election, the party would defeat the All Progressives Congress and other parties in 2027.

He said that with present challenges facing Nigerians including poverty and inadequate infrastructure, the NNPP had a golden opportunity to win the 2027 general election.

“We are all aware of the difficulties APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are facing.

“I believe if there is free and fair election in this country, NNPP will defeat the APC, PDP and other parties in this country,’’ he said.

Kwankwaso said it was because of the capacity and viability of the party that some expelled members were making some claims against the party to distract it.

The former governor of Kano State, who described the actions of the few persons as a big joke, saying the NNPP had moved on.

While commending Nigerians for their continued support for NNPP, even in the face of present challenge, pledged to continue to work with INEC to deepen Nigeria democracy.

“Let me assure you that from our own level, we will continue to give what it takes for the success of our party at the national level.

“But I also want to appeal to our leaders from various states, local government and wards and all our structures across the country to continue to work harder.

“We should continue to have unity of purpose so that at the end of the day the party can win election in 2027,’’ Kwankwaso said.

Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State advised the Federal and state government to prioritise education and human capacity development in the country.

Yusuf, represented by the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo, said that the Kano State government had been setting the standard as well as abiding by the principle of the party.

“We are so proud of what is happening in Kano. Not even a state can march it. Education for all is the slogan of our party.

“Education this year received 31 per cent of the total budget of Kano state. No state has been able to achieve that on the platform of any political platform in this country,’’ Yusuf said.

On his part, the NNPP National Chairman, Dr Ajuji Ahmed, also expressed confidence that NNPP would become the Nigeria ruling party in 2027.

Ahmed tasked NNPP members and leaders at all levels on membership drive, saying membership drive is the responsibility of every party member.

He also advised members to ignore the expelled members parading themselves as parallel executive leaders of NNPP in Lagos.

Presenting the party’s report, the NNPP National Secretary, Chief Ladipo Olayekun, said that the NEC meeting which was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was in line with the party constitution.

He commended INEC for using the party’s new logo in recent states and by-election.

Olayekun said while the party was involved in some litigations, especially on the disciplinary action taken against erring members, the party was confident of victory as all action was taking in line with the NNPP constitution .

He also disclosed that the party working with INEC has completed the audit of NNPP account from 2022 to 2024.

Olayekun also said that the NNPP had contested for various elections across the country with great performance, including winning all local government seats in Kano State local government election.

He expressed confidence that the party would continue to perform better in future elections.

On the Anambra election, he called on all stakeholders of the party to brace up for NNPP success in the November election.

Recall, the NEC at the meeting extended the tenure of caretaker committees for Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Gombe and Taraba states.

The meeting also ratified the appointment of Caretaker committees for Oyo state chapter of the party for six months or pending the appointment of substantive executive members for the state.