Kano NNPP Suspends Senator, Three Other Members for Alleged Anti-party Activities

•Our suspension fraudulent, political gimmick, victims react  

•APC crisis festers as housing minister threatens to resign over chairmanship dispute

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano took disciplinary actions against some of its members, including a senator and three members of the House of Representatives, over alleged anti-party activities. Chairman of the party in the state, Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa, disclosed this to newsmen yesterday in Kano.

But the suspended NNPP leaders of rejected their suspension, and described it as fraudulent and a political gimmick.

In another development, Minister of State for Housing and urban development, Yusuf Ata, threatened to resign from his position, if the current chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Abdullahi Abbas, was re-elected.

The NNPP state chairman said the four legislators were the senator for Kano South, Kawu Sumaila; member representing Rogo Federal Constituency, Alhaji Abdullahi Rogo; member representing Rano/Kibiya, Alhaji Abdullahi Rurum; and Ali Maadakin Gini representing Dala Federal Constituency.

He said the party was disappointed with the recent actions of some National Assembly members elected on the party’s platform.

According to him, despite being given complementary tickets during the party elections, the accused members went against the party’s wishes, beliefs, and values.

Dungurawa said Sumaila recently made headlines for hosting a high-profile event where he gave his daughter in marriage and commissioned some projects at his university in Sumaila.

He stated, “It is unfortunate that none of our party members, who supported him, was invited to the event, including our national leader, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

“This action has really sparked curiosity about Senator Kawu inviting his opponents, especially those who kicked against his bid to clinch the ticket in their political party.” 

The state chairman emphasised that despite the suspension, the door remained open for dialogue if the suspended members repented and sought forgiveness. He  reassured members that  NNPP remained strong and committed to achieving victory, both now and in the future.

But, in a joint statement by Sumaila, Gini, Rurum, and Rogo, they described their suspension as an attempt to mislead the public.

“This reckless move is not just illegal; it is a desperate act by a faction that has already been expelled from the NNPP and holds no authority whatsoever,” the statement read.

They accused Kwankwaso of running the party without regard for democratic principles, and also criticised his absence at events, including the wedding of Sumaila’s daughters and the convocation of Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila.

The statement said, “His deliberate absence, especially in the presence of APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahahi Umar Ganduje, Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin, former Governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, and other national figures, was a petty and calculated attempt to undermine political opponents.”

They dismissed Dungurawa, who announced the suspension, as a “political puppet of Kwankwaso” with no legitimacy.

According to them, “Hashimu Dungurawa lacks any credibility to speak on NNPP matters. His so-called ‘suspension’ is nothing but a fraudulent political gimmick designed to deceive the public and distract from the monumental failures of Kwankwaso’s faction.”

Citing a court ruling, they stated that Kwankwaso and his loyalists had no legal claim to the party’s leadership.

“The truth remains that the Abia High Court judgement of November 1, 2024 affirmed Dr. Boniface Aniebonam as the only legally recognised NNPP leader, expelling Kwankwaso and his loyalists.”

The statement urged the public to disregard the suspension and reaffirmed the affected members’ commitment to NNPP.

“We remain committed to strengthening the NNPP under its legitimate leadership and ensuring that the party serves the people, not the selfish ambitions of Kwankwaso and his cronies,” they stated.

Kano APC Crisis Deepens as Minister Vows to Resign over If Chairman is Re-elected

Minister State for Housing and urban development, Yusuf Ata, threatened to resign from his position if the chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Abdullahi Abbas, was re-elected. Ata, who disclosed this to newsmen in Kano, said Abbas had been steering the affairs of the party for the last 10 years, contrary to the party’s constitution.

He attributed the loss of APC in 2023 to numerous utterances of Abbas, adding that the party has to change the narrative ahead of the 2027 general election.

According to him, Abbas’s leadership style has weakened the party’s public image and contributed to its defeat in the 2023 elections.

Ata said, “I stood my ground and still maintained my point that I will resign as a minister the moment the current chairman of APC – Abdullahi Abbas – emerges winner of the party anytime election is conducted.

“All loyal members of APC have to be united and form a formidable force against anybody that doesn’t wish the party well.”

He added, “I paid N10 million to contest for House of Representatives and a card carry member of the party equally. What then is the criteria of being member of a party? An answer must be given by my accusers 

“I clashed with former Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, when I realised our political interests no longer aligned.”