Kano NNPP accuses APC of plotting party’s crisis ahead of 2027

As the New Nigeria People’s Party in Kano State continues to suffer what political observers call “significant internal crisis,” culminating in the emergence of a faction challenging the party’s current leadership, notable politicians have concluded that the entire plot is aimed at ensuring that the All Progressives Congress reclaims the state in 2027.

Arewa PUNCH investigations reveal that this development threatens the already fragile stability of the NNPP and raises questions about its prospects in the 2027 elections.

A political observer in the state, Awwual Mustapher, told Arewa PUNCH that, “The faction, led by former party spokesperson Hon. Musa Nuhu Yankaba has accused prominent figures like Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of not representing the authentic NNPP.

“To assert their stance, the group recently convened a congress where they elected new executives, directly challenging the party’s existing structure.”

When contacted, Hon. Nuhu Yankaba told PUNCH that they were trying to help members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement realise that they were on the wrong path, accusing them of betraying the pioneer and national leader of the NNPP.

While restating his loyalty to the movement, Yankaba said, “After leaving the PDP (with Kwankwaso), there were initial plans to join the Accord Party, but an agreement couldn’t be reached.

Instead, the NNPP leaders in Abia welcomed us into the party without problem.”

Lamenting the betrayal, Yankaba stressed, “Since 2019, I have been with them, supporting them with my wealth and strength, but now they have abandoned me. I secured jobs for them, but I lost mine. They didn’t help me.”

He maintained, “I leave it to Allah to take revenge for me. As of today, I withdraw my loyalty to the Kwankwasiyya Movement.”

On his part, the Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Kano State chapter, Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa, denied any knowledge of a faction within the party in the state.

According to him, the party treats all its members equally.

Moreover, he noted that “those agitating for the party’s legitimacy are not even politicians,” thereby dismissing their claims as “baseless.”

Furthermore, he stressed that the party recently welcomed a prominent figure from the Peoples Democratic Party, Hon. Masud Eljibrin Doguwa, who defected to the NNPP.

As a result, Dungurawa insisted that the party would continue to thrive despite the allegations that the member was sponsored by Ganduje to destabilise it.

However, he assured that the party was fully prepared to handle such challenges.

In addition, Alhaji Dungurawa clarified that “Hon. Musa Nuhu Yankaba had never been the Public Relations Officer of the NNPP.”

Instead, he explained that “Yankaba was merely a liaison officer for the party,” thus dispelling “any confusion over this matter.”

Finally, reaffirming the stability of the party, he stated “that Kwankwaso has never interfered in the government’s affairs.”

He also pointed out that the recent cabinet reshuffle was a “normal routine exercise,” emphasising that “such changes occur in various states across the country.”

Additionally, the NNPP chairman noted that “even the president occasionally reshuffles the federal cabinet, underscoring the fact that it is a standard administrative practice.”

Arewa PUNCH reports that the year 2024 has been particularly turbulent for the NNPP, marked by widespread defections of party members to the All Progressives Congress, even as key figures within the Kwankwasiyya Movement—considered as the ideological backbone of the NNPP—have also voiced their discontent.

Notably, federal lawmakers such as Aliyu Madakin-Gini representing the Dala Federal Constituency and Alhassan Rurum (Rano/Kibiya/Bunkure Federal Constituency) have distanced themselves from Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

Awwal further reminded Arewa PUNCH that a major crisis had escalated on Monday, April 15, 2024, “when a faction of the NNPP summoned Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to appear before its disciplinary committee. The governor was asked to explain why he, a national figure elected on the party’s platform, participated in what the faction described as an illegal national convention organised by the Kwankwasiyya group.”

Our correspondent recalls that the invitation to the Gov Yusuf in that regard was contained in a statement titled: “Invitation to Appear Before NNPP’s Disciplinary Committee,” was signed by the group’s National Secretary, Comrade Oginni Olaposi. It read in bits:

“I am directed by the Board of Trustees of the New Nigeria People’s Party to invite Your Excellency to the National Headquarters of NNPP, located at Willand Plaza, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, on Monday, 15th April 2024, by 9:00 a.m. to explain the reasons for participating in an illegal/factional national convention of NNPP held by the Kwankwasiyya group at A Class Event Centre, Wuse 2, Abuja, on Saturday, 6th April 2024.

“In accordance with Article 39, subsection 4 of our Constitution, the Disciplinary Committee is chaired by Barrister Monday Mawah, with Prince Adetoyese Omokanye serving as Secretary.

“Your Excellency is respectfully expected to provide reasons why Article 39.6 (e, f & g) should not be invoked as sanctions.

“Your cooperation will strengthen our internal disciplinary measures, particularly regarding party supremacy.

“However, in the absence of such cooperation, decisive action will be taken according to the NNPP Constitution & 2022, as amended.”

Awwual again disclosed that “another critical discord that rattled the party was the leadership struggles within the party.

“Loyalists of Governor Yusuf and Kwankwaso have been at loggerhead, with the former advocating for greater autonomy in governance. This friction escalated following the sacked of six commissioners including key officials like Secretary to the State Government Abdullahi Baffa Bichi and Commissioner for Transport Muhammad Diggol, over allegations of promoting Governor Yusuf’s independence from Kwankwaso’s control, “Abba Tsaya Da Kafarka”,” he recalled.

Our correspondent recalled that, “added to the internal discord are allegations that the APC was exploiting these divisions to weaken the NNPP’s cohesion in preparation for future elections.”

Speaking to Arewa PUNCH, the Public Relations Officer of the All Progressives Congress, in Kano, Alhaji Ahmed Aruwa, denied any interference in affairs of the New Nigeria Peoples Party. Instead, he alleged that “it was Rabiu Kwankwaso who caused the frictions of NNPP in Kano.”

He challenged the present administration in the state, which won the elections under the NNPP platform, pointing out that the party originally used the logo of fruits but Kwankwaso unilaterally changed it to a book—a symbol that has not been registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Meanwhile, the APC spokesperson emphasised that the party’s focus is now at the national level, working to improve citizens’ welfare. He asserted that the NNPP had fallen into what he described as “a grave of shame” due to its inability to fulfil its promises.

Furthermore, Aruwa accused “the NNPP of lacking transparency and truthfulness,” adding that “the party failed to support its members who had voted and worked hard for its success.”

He cited examples of notable individuals who left the Kwankwasiyya Movement within the NNPP, including Hisham Habibu, the former Managing Director of Kano Radio Corporation (Who recently defected to the, APC). Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG); and Hon. Nuhu Yan Kaba, the party’s former spokesperson.

Recalling the legal battle between the NNPP and APC over the Kano governorship election, he pointed out that Kawu Sumaila had previously acted on behalf of NNPP federal lawmakers, hinting at their eventual defection to the APC.

Responding to allegations of colluding with a faction of the NNPP (the one using the fruit logo), the APC spokesman urged critics to first question Kwankwaso about his past actions within the People’s Democratic Party.

According to him, it was Kwankwaso who orchestrated the internal crises in the PDP before defecting to form the NNPP. He stressed that the people of Kano State continue to align with the APC due to the developmental strides made during the eight years of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s administration.

Addressing calls for reconciliation between Kwankwaso and Ganduje, Aruwa stated that it is Kwankwaso who should apologize to Ganduje and initiate reconciliation efforts. He categorically denied supporting any faction within the NNPP and accused many of the party’s members of being defectors from other parties rather than true NNPP loyalists.

He disclosed that the APC had already welcomed over 100,000 former NNPP members who defected to the ruling party and expressed confidence that thousands more, including the several key NNPP loyalists, would soon join the APC.

He mentioned prominent figures like Sulaiman Kawu Sumaila, Baffa Bichi, and Abdulaziz Garba Gafasa, who are expected to “return to their ancestral home” in the APC.

Hon. Aruwa also questioned Kawu Sumaila’s current stance, asking him to clarify which NNPP faction he belongs to—whether the one with the fruit logo or the book logo. He assured that the APC would continue to woo members from both factions of the NNPP.

However, a member of the NNPP, Jibrin Bello, a resident of Tukunyawa quarters of Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, expressed deep concern over the defections to the APC, attributing them to the party’s internal challenges.

He emphasised that the APC’s actions, including orchestrating crises within opposition parties, have exacerbated the situation.

Speaking further, he alleged that “The APC is orchestrating crises within the PDP, LP, and NNPP to weaken them.”

Another NNPP member, Auwal Ahmad, criticised the APC for capitalising on the party’s disarray, suggesting that the defections were politically motivated, he remarked thus, “Those defecting to APC from NNPP are ineffective in the political arena.”

Conversely, an APC member, Nurulhaq Kabir, defended the party’s actions, asserting that the defections were a natural outcome of the NNPP’s internal issues.

He stated, “Members of the NNPP in Kano State are defecting to the APC because they have lost confidence in the party.”

Another APC member emphasized the importance of unity within their party to reclaim Kano from the NNPP. “Unity among APC members is the only way to reclaim Kano from NNPP,” he stressed.

However, a political analyst, Nura Isyaku Bello, from Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, said the ongoing crisis within the New Nigeria People’s Party in Kano State reflects deeper issues of political alignment, leadership tussles, and strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the political analyst Nura Isyaku Bello, the internal divisions, marked by factional disputes and mass defections, underscore a fundamental challenge in party cohesion and governance.

Bello argues that the NNPP’s troubles stem from its reliance on the Kwankwasiyya Movement, which, while initially a unifying force, has become a source of tension due to differing visions for the party’s future. “The relationship between Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso appears strained, with the governor’s allies advocating for autonomy while Kwankwaso’s loyalists demand adherence to his leadership style,” he explains.

The defections to the APC further complicated matters. Bello noted that while the APC may be exploiting these weaknesses to its advantage, the real issue lies within the NNPP’s inability to manage internal dissent effectively.

“The APC’s gains are not just about political opportunism but a reflection of the NNPP’s failure to address grievances and establish a clear direction,” he said.

Bello emphasised that the NNPP must urgently reconcile its factions to avoid further erosion of its influence.

“The 2027 elections are fast approaching, and unless the party rebuilds trust and unity, it risks irrelevance in Kano State politics,” he concluded.

However, for a prominent political analyst, Mustapha Isa Kwaru  the NNPP finds itself at a crossroads, where leadership decisions and internal cohesion are being closely scrutinized. While the party leadership, led by Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa, denies any factionalism, it cannot overlook the growing concerns of neglect among its members. The claim of unity is commendable, but the reality suggests a lack of proactive engagement with grassroots stakeholders.

The defection of Hon. Masud Eljibrin Doguwa from the PDP is a strategic gain for the NNPP, but the allegations that his move was orchestrated by external forces to destabilise the party raises valid questions about the vigilance of its leadership.

Furthermore, Arewa PUNCH learnt that the controversy surrounding Hon. Musa Nuhu Yankaba’s role within the party points to administrative lapses and poor internal communication.

While the party’s insistence on stability and Kwankwaso’s limited interference may provide temporary relief, neglecting internal grievances could weaken its foundation.

“The NNPP must adopt a more inclusive approach and prioritise transparent governance to remain competitive in Nigeria’s dynamic political landscape,” another political analyst posited.