Prof. Rufa’i Alkali, the National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, says the party will not be dragged into unnecessary controversies over the planned defection of Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau, one of its chieftains in Kano.
Mr Shekarau, a former Kano State governor who joined NNPP recently from the ruling APC, on Monday said he would tell his supporters their next move over a perceived injustice.
Reacting to the development, Alkali, a former presidential adviser on political affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, told newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday that the party respected the Shekarau’s judgment.
“On Shekarau, we respect his judgment but will not allow the NNPP to be dragged into unnecessary controversy.
“We have great respect for him and he is also a person who believes in a better country. We respect his decision. Whatever he has decided for himself,” Alkali said.
The party chairman, however, said that the party was still talking to Shekarau.
“What is important again in politics is that if you lose, you will gain. it doesn’t mean a total loss, whatever happened, it doesn’t mean a total loss, it may be a setback.
“But for now, the situation is that we are discussing with him (Shekarau). We are sure that case is not over until it is over.
“The party is working in every state of the federation to ensure that wherever there are problems, we handle those problems,” he said.
He said that the party had in place, a reconciliation committee at the national and zonal levels to resolve all perceived disagreements.
Mr Alkali said that the party’s door remained open to all who were ready to sacrifice for the nation rather than dealing with merchants.
NAN
