By Emmanuel Oloniruha
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) on Friday unveiled new logo, flag and constitution of the party.
Unveiling the party’s new logo in Abuja, the party National Leader, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said it would help to address the challenge where voters found it difficult to identify the party on ballot paper on election days.
“ I believe we need to change the former logo, which I am sure you remember, which was the basket of fruits.
“During the last election, last 2023 election, all of you are aware how our logo was presented on the ballot papers across the country.
“Even my humble self, one time when I went to my ward to vote, I found it extremely difficult to identify our logo.
“Maybe because of the colour separation or some other issues, but we took it in good faith. Even though we know we lost so many votes because of that.
“That was why even the INEC itself, when it was challenged by the way and manner our logo was presented, the chairman himself suggested there was need for us to come up with something else,” he said.
Kwankwaso, who was NNPP Presidential Candidate for 2023 General elections, said that the new logo would also help the party to make greater impact in future elections.
He said that the new logo with picture of a graduation cap on a book an inscription of “education for all” shows what the party stood for, which is the struggle to emancipate the masses in the country.
“Our priority at all levels, whether one local government, state or national, wherever we have an opportunity, our priority has always been and will continue to be education.
“Also the white background on which the logo stands symbolizes peace for.
“That is why despite all provocation in Kano we have remained peaceful, and we urge our supporters to continue to be peaceful,” he said.
Kwankwaso advised the party leaders to equip themselves with the provisions of the new constitution.
“Go through them, understand them, and be sure that each and every one of us go by the provisions of this amended constitution,” Kwankwaso said .
Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano, said that with the new logo, NNPP was ready to capture power in more states and at the national level by 2027 general elections.
Yusuf, who was represented by his Deputy, Aminu Gwarzo, who commended the party leaders for the initiative, said that the party look forward to win more elective positions in elections.
He assured Nigerians and NNPP members that his administration would continue to make Kano a reference point of development in the country.
The NNPP National Chairman , Ajuji Ahmed, said that the new logo which was approved by INEC in June, had since been ratified by the National Executive Committee of the party, and its organs at the national convention which was held in April.
Ahmed who said that the old logo would feature in the September off-season election in Edo and Ondo States, and the re-run election in Kano State within the year.
“However, beginning with the November 16, 2024 off-season governorship election in Ondo State, this new logo will be on the ballot papers.
“Voters in the states mentioned above, i.e. Edo, Kano, and Ondo States should take note,” Ajuji said.
He said that the party’s experience in the last general elections necessitated the urgent need to change the old logo.
He said that in some cases, voters were confused by the way the old logo came out in the ballot papers across the country.
“As a party focused on going forward, we did not go to Tribunals to challenge anyone on account of the way the logo came out on the ballot papers throughout the country.
“Instead we went on a mission of dialogue and wide consultations within and outside the party, which took us to where we are today,” Ahmed said.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ladipo Johnson said that the new logo replaces the old agricultural harvest embedded in the Nigerian map.
Johnson said that the NNPP is the roadmap to a new country driven by education and knowledge,
“Education is the bedrock of all. It encompasses strength, development, growth and all that is needed for national development.
“And when we talk about education, we’re not just talking of books, but information and all other forms of education,” Ladipo said.