Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 presidential election, has strongly criticized both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the former of being a “dead party” and the latter of being disconnected from the economic struggles faced by Nigerians.
Speaking at the NNPP’s National Executive Committee meeting held on Monday, Kwankwaso addressed the state of political affairs in Nigeria, pointing out that the NNPP was rapidly gaining ground as a formidable political movement in the country, despite various challenges.
“I’m pleased to say that, despite all the challenges, today, our party is the fastest-growing party in this country,” Kwankwaso remarked. Reflecting on his earlier observation during a visit to Katsina State to commission the NNPP state office, he noted the decline of the PDP.
He stated, “I remember when I visited Katsina State to commission our state office. I mentioned that the two parties, especially the PDP, were dead, and there are so many concerns within the fold of the PDP.”
He continued, “I’m sure when I was making that statement, many of them did not see what was happening today, that the party had been broken into pieces. The party is imploding, and therefore if they didn’t understand at that time, now I believe they will agree with all of us that the party is dead.”
Kwankwaso did not spare the ruling APC, accusing its leadership of being out of touch with the plight of everyday Nigerians.
“The APC, as it stands today, you can see that the leadership is just up there in the air, and the entire nation, the people of this country, are on the ground,” he said.
He added, “At that level, whether they believe they are doing well, all of us, especially the voters in this country, believe that they are performing very, very badly, especially if you look at the issue of security, the level of poverty in this country, and of course the menace of hunger that we are currently witnessing.”
Kwankwaso’s comments come amidst widespread concerns over Nigeria’s economic situation, which continues to worsen under the APC’s leadership. His critique reflects growing discontent among opposition figures and citizens alike regarding the government’s handling of the economy, poverty, and national security.
The NNPP leader concluded by reiterating the party’s commitment to addressing these issues and presenting itself as a viable alternative to both the PDP and APC, emphasizing that the NNPP’s rapid growth was a clear indicator of the public’s desire for change in Nigeria’s political landscape.
