BY MAYOWA SAMUEL
The National Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Rufai Ahmed Alkali, has resigned.
Alkali disclosed this in a letter to the National secretariat titled “Letter of Stepping Aside from the post of National chairman, New Nigeria People’s Party”, and dated March 31, 2023.
Alkali said the resignation was in the best interest of the party, so that numerous changes could be made for its success in the 2027 general elections.
According to the letter, which was copied to the national leader of the party and presidential candidate in the just concluded general elections, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Chairman Board of Trustees, Boniface Aniebonam and BoT’s Secretary, Buba Galadima, he said he remained a loyal and bona fide member of the party, pledging to serve and offer support at all levels in ensuring its success.
The letter read in full, “I am pleased to write and convey to you that I have stepped aside as the National Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) with effect from today, Friday 31st March, 2023.
“Following keenly the events before, during and after the recent general elections held on 25th February and 18th March 2023, it is my humble view that our party, the NNPP, has a great future and potential to emerge as the leading political force that is capable of winning the Presidential and all other elections in 2027.
“To achieve this, we must think ahead and plan ahead. And the time is now. Our great party, the New Nigeria People’s Party will require major and fundamental structural and systemic changes and reorganization at all levels in order to strengthen its base, improve its operational capabilities and generally enhance its competitive advantage over and above all the other 17 political parties on the INEC nominal roll.
“Since, we as a party all believe in and aspire to bring in a better Nigeria through the astute leadership of our leader, His Excellency, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, I believe, no sacrifice is too much from each and every one of us.
“I am convinced, this change must start from me. This is precisely why I have decided, with all sense of responsibility, to step aside from the office of the National Chairman of our party to give room for fresh hands to take over and build upon and improve on our modest contributions. I wish I had done more.
“By this letter, I also wish to inform our national leader and presidential candidate, His Excellency, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and our entire members nationwide that I am still and will remain a bona fide member of our party and I pledge to serve and offer support to our party at all levels to ensure the continued progress and advancement of our party.
“I wish to also extend my special appreciation to our national leader Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who in the last three years, offered me unique and rare opportunities to serve in various capacities from the formative stages of The National Movement (TNM) and after the merger between the TNM and the old NNPP was ultimately consummated. This rare privilege, I cannot take for granted.
“I wish to therefore extend my special and sincere appreciation to our national leader, His Excellency Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, our amiable vice presidential candidate, Bishop Isaac Idahosa, our elder and Chairman Board of Trustees (BOT) Chief Boniface Aniebonam, my Brother the Secretary of BOT, Elder Buba Galadima, members of the National Working Committee, our Gubernatorial and National and States Houses of Assembly Members and all our members nationwide for your goodwill, support and encouragement during my sojourn as National Chairman of our great party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). All honour and glory belongs to God and God alone who makes everything possible.
“I pray, may God bless and reward you all with His bountiful mercies and blessings.”
