The New Nigeria Peoples Party, on Sunday, reacted to media reports that its standard flagbearer, Rabiu Kwankwaso, could deputise the presidential flagbearer of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

The party described the reports as “misleading and embarrassing.”

It was reported that there has been news about an alliance of the NNPP and the Labour party.

The presidential candidate of the NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, in an interview with BBC Hausa, had said talks were ongoing to ensure a successful merger between his party and the Labour party. Though Kwankwaso did not suggest who would be the running mate between himself and Obi, he noted that the merger would be very crucial ahead of the 2023 general election.

But the NNPP in a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Dr Agbo Major, noted that the party got waves of media reports stating that Kwankwaso could deputise Obi.

“NNPP has never at any time said its esteemed presidential candidate, His Excellency, Dr. Rabiu kwankwaso, could accept to be the Labour Party, Peter Obi’s deputy. The report is misleading and embarrassing to our great party, its presidential candidate, Kwankwaso and millions of supporters in Nigeria and the diaspora, and urges journalists to crosscheck their reports before publishing them to avoid national disaffection ahead of the crucial 2023 general election.

“As a mass movement, the NNPP acknowledged alliance talks with Labour Party that would consolidate and boost the nation’s frail democracy as we collectively strive for a new Nigeria which the party champions,” the party said.(The PUNCH)