On Monday, March 24, Asiwaju Moshood Shittu, a prominent chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), urged the party’s national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to avoid hastily entering into any political alliance or merger ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja over the weekend, Shittu, who previously served as the director-general (North) of the Kwankwaso Presidential Campaign Council, cautioned that a rushed merger, without a clear agenda or credible presidential candidate, could result in a “marriage of inconvenience.”
He drew parallels to the 2014 merger that led to the ousting of President Goodluck Jonathan, arguing that it ultimately produced a worse leadership outcome.
Shittu advised Kwankwaso to carefully assess any potential alliances, stressing the importance of evaluating the credibility of the proposed candidate, the merger’s agenda, and its governance blueprint.
He pointed out that many opposition coalitions in Nigeria fail due to a lack of ideological coherence and vision. Shittu urged Kwankwaso to prioritize the needs of the Nigerian people over political calculations, warning that any poorly thought-out decision could face harsh judgment in history.
He concluded by saying that Nigeria “cannot afford another gamble” in its leadership.
