The Kano State chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party has rejected the suspension of Governor Abba Yusuf from the party by a faction of the National Executive Committee, describing it as illegal.
The party also dismissed the expulsion of the party leader and its presidential candidate in the 2023 General Elections, Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso, by the same group. The NNPP described the suspension as “laughable,” insisting that it was carried out by some expelled members of the party.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that NNPP Chairman in Kano State, Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa, voiced the rejection while briefing newsmen in Kano on Monday. He alleged that those who effected the suspension and expulsion were sponsored by some undisclosed ‘outside forces.’
A faction of the party’s National Executive Committee had affirmed the six-month suspension of Yusuf and the expulsion of Kwankwaso from the party. The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued on Sunday, jointly signed by Umar Jibril and Omolara Johnson, following the NEC meeting held on May 27.
Dungurawa described the purported suspension and expulsion as “unserious and of no consequence to the party, whatsoever.” He questioned how an alleged sponsored group of expelled members could suspend Yusuf, the only NNPP governor in the country, and expel Kwankwaso, its National Leader, calling the action “absurd.”
According to him, the leadership of the party genuinely mandated by members across the country would not be distracted by the actions of the sponsored group. He stated, “It is focused on developing the NNPP to continue to provide good governance to all Nigerians. The NNPP as a party, remains strong, winning more members across the country, in spite of the evil machinations of outside forces.”
The New Nigeria Peoples Party has been embroiled in internal disputes, particularly following the 2023 general elections. Tensions have flared between different factions within the party, leading to controversial suspensions and expulsions.
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State and the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso, have recently been targeted by a faction of the National Executive Committee. This move has sparked significant backlash from other party leaders.