NNPP crisis: Kano Gov Yusuf ignores Kwankwaso’s calls, meetings

The political crisis within the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano has deepened as Governor Abba Yusuf and his political mentor and party godfather, Rabiu Kwankwaso, are said not to be on talking terms.

Tensions have escalated with Kwankwaso taking critical party and local government decisions without input from the governor, newstrends learnt.

These include appointment of local government chairmen and influencing the party’s political machinery, which has fueled growing resentment within the governor’s camp.

An inside source was quoted as saying, “Abba (Gov Yusuf) does not want to denigrate Kwankwaso, but he truly wants to be independent. Ninety per cent of the commissioners were imposed by Kwankwaso, and Abba is still working with them. This shows he still respects him.

“For a long time, Abba wanted to drop some commissioners who are either incompetent or disloyal to him, but out of respect for Kwankwaso, he reluctantly accommodates them for peace to reign.”

A report by Daily Nigerian says except for the governor’s appearance at Kwankwaso’s birthday celebrations on October 21, where the godfather used the opportunity to corner the governor at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport lounge, the duo had not met or spoken in recent months.

It was also learnt that the governor shunned meetings convened by Kwankwaso at his Miller Road and Maitama residences in Kano and Abuja respectively.

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“He (Governor Yusuf) earlier agreed to attend the Miller Road meeting at night but he kept Kwankwaso waiting through midnight and refused to come,” an insider said.

Kwankwaso’s efforts to meet or speak directly with the governor we’re frustrated.

The NNPP leader on some occasions reportedly made further futile attempts through the governor’s ADC and private secretary.

When attempts to see the governor failed, the NNPP leader allegedly sent an emissary to convey his directive to sack the SSG, who is believed to be the architect of the governor’s rebellion.

After Kwankwaso’s directive for the SSG’s sack fell on the governor’s deaf ears, the chairman of the NNPP in Kano, Hashimu Dungurawa, on October 14, announced the dismissal of the SSG and Commissioner for Transport over alleged anti-party activities.

Meanwhile, several high-profile NNPP figures, including lawmakers and commissioners, are said to be aligning with the governor.

Some are reportedly negotiating a potential defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

NNPP crisis: Kano Gov Yusuf ignores Kwankwaso’s calls, meetings

APC sweeps Cross River council polls

The ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Cross River State has emerged victorious in all 18 chairmanship positions and 196 councillorship seats in the local government councils election conducted on Saturday.

The results were announced on Sunday by the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission, CROSIEC Dr. Ekong Bocco.

Following the announcement, all the elected chairmen were presented with certificates of return.

Among the 18 elected local government council leaders, three are women and fifteen are men.

In his address to the newly elected council heads, the CROSIEC Chairman extended his congratulations and emphasised the importance of fulfilling campaign promises and the responsibilities associated with local government councils in democratic governance.

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The comprehensive triumph of the All Progressive Congress in Cross River State signifies a notable transformation in the political arena. By securing all 18 Chairmanship positions and 196 councillorship seats, the APC has cemented its dominance in the local government councils.

During the ceremony to present certificates of return to the elected chairmen, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, highlighted the crucial tasks awaiting the newly elected officials, including addressing the needs of their constituents, promoting transparency, and fulfilling their electoral commitments in line with the People First Mantra championed by the State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu.

He emphasized that the success in the local government polls paves the way for the State government to continue showcasing effective governance and making a positive impact on the lives of the people in Cross River State.

APC sweeps Cross River council polls

Kano NNPP lawmaker dumps Kwankwaso faction, supports gov

A member of the House of Representatives for Rano/Kibiya/Bunkure Federal Constituency, Kabiru Rurum, has publicly distanced himself from Senator RabiuKwankwaso’s faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), instead supporting the group led by the party’s founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam.

Rurum, a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, stated on Sunday that he recognizes the NNPP under Dr. Aniebonam—represented by a fruit logo—as the legitimate faction, rejecting the legitimacy of Kwankwaso’s faction, which is symbolized by a book logo.

He also called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to act autonomously and not to follow directives from Kwankwaso.

“My loyalty remains with Governor Yusuf,” Rurum affirmed, assuring the people of Kano and his constituents that the governor is capable of making sound decisions for the state.

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When questioned about the possibility of a defection, Rurum maintained that he is a committed member of the NNPP under Aniebonam’s leadership and criticized Kwankwaso for allegedly usurping the party for personal interests.

“Dr. Boniface provided Kwankwaso with a platform, and it is wrong to take the party from him and treat him poorly,” he remarked.

Following this announcement, another member representing Dala Federal Constituency also left the Kwankwasiyya movement, encouraging his supporters to discard the red cap, which symbolizes Kwankwasiyya’s ideology.

This development follows a recent ruling by the Uzuakoli Division of the High Court in Abia State, presided over by Justice C.U. Okoroafor.

On November 1, 2024, the court ordered that the NNPP be placed under the control of its Board of Trustees, chaired by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the party’s founder. This ruling came in response to a suit filed by three NNPP members in Abia, addressing the ongoing leadership crisis within the party.

Kano NNPP lawmaker dumps Kwankwaso faction, supports gov