The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) ‘climbed’ to power in Kano in 2023 with overwhelming grassroots support, riding on the influence of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya movement.

But less than two years into its administration, the party is showing signs of internal cracks.

Recent defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC), rising internal dissatisfaction, and governance challenges have cast doubt on NNPP’s ability to maintain its dominance in Kano.

On Monday, the Kano State chapter of the NNPP announced the suspension of a senator and three members of the House of Representatives.

The affected lawmakers include Senator Kawu Sumaila (Kano South), Aliyu Madaki (Dala Federal Constituency), Sani Rogo (Rogo Federal Constituency), and Kabiru Rurum (Rano, Kibiya, Bunkure Federal Constituency).

Hashimu Dungurawa, the party’s state chairman, in an interview with DAILY POST cited disloyalty and non-compliance with party directives as reasons for their suspension.

According to him, the lawmakers repeatedly ignored party activities, including major events organized by both Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Kwankwaso.

“The governor has undertaken several projects in their respective constituencies, yet they never showed up. Kwankwaso organized events in both Kano and Abuja, but they were absent. During our recent nationwide committee meeting, all stakeholders attended except them, and they never offered any explanation,” Dungurawa stated in the interview.

The state chairman further alleged that Sumaila’s actions, including the invitation of key APC figures to his daughter’s wedding and the commissioning of his university projects, demonstrated his lack of commitment to the NNPP.

“The people who fought against him in 2009 and 2023 were present at his events, while those who helped him secure his political position were sidelined. This is why we had to act,” he stated.

However, the suspended lawmakers have rejected the party’s action.

They tagged it an illegitimate decision driven by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s faction.

In a joint statement on Monday, the lawmakers accused the NNPP leader of running the party like a personal empire.

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

They accused Kwankwaso of using the NNPP as a tool for personal vendettas.

“Politics should be about service, integrity, and development not a tool for dictatorship. Unfortunately, in Kano State, Kwankwaso has turned the NNPP into his personal empire, disregarding party unity and democratic principles.”

Also, on Tuesday, the party’s national leadership, through its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Oginni Olaposi, also rejected the suspension, declaring it “null and void.”

According to Olaposi, the decision was orchestrated by the Kwankwasiyya movement, which no longer holds a formal relationship with the NNPP.

“The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya Movement ended after the 2023 elections. The faction claiming to suspend these lawmakers lacks the authority to do so. We appeal to the people of Kano to disregard their pronouncements,” Olaposi stated.

He also referenced a court ruling that placed the NNPP under the leadership of its Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam.

“Kwankwaso and his faction have no legal standing to act on behalf of the party. Their statements are misleading and could cause public unrest in Kano.”

In an interview with DAILY POST on Thursday, Comrade Khatimul Kulkul, Senior Special Reporter to the Kano State Governor from the Ministry of Local and Chieftaincy Affairs, defended the suspension of the lawmakers.

He stated that it was necessary to protect the party from internal crises.

“Internal crises are the most dangerous for a party,” Kulkul said.

“Someone may appear to be with you, but in reality, they are not. Such individuals could be leaking party secrets and agenda to outsiders.”

He explained that the NNPP had come to the realization that the suspended lawmakers and senator were not genuinely aligned with the party’s interests. “If we go into 2027 with them, they will create problems for us. This is why we decided to do away with them now to prepare for the next elections. If we had allowed them to stay, they would have shown their true colors closer to 2027.”

Kulkul also mentioned that despite the defections of prominent figures in the past, the Kwankwasiyya movement has remained strong.

“Aminu Dabo left us, but no matter how prominent Kawu Sumaila thinks he is, he is not at the level of Aminu Dabo, Adamu Yusuf Dangwadima. People who have been with Kwankwasiyya for years. Kawu Sumaila only recently joined and was never originally part of the movement. Many have left before, but that has never stopped us from succeeding.”

He remained confident about the party’s prospects in 2027.

“This will only make us more prepared, and we will put them to shame. The Kwankwasiyya movement will prevail in 2027, just as it has in past elections.

“If you look at the political tide from 2011 until now, there have been crises, deepened politics, inconclusive elections but Kwankwasiyya always prevails because we have a determined leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. And we will put them to shame again.”

Political analysts evaluates party’s ‘journey’ to 2027

An exclusive interview with political analyst, Abba Gwale has revealed growing internal crisis within the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano, raising concerns about its readiness for the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on the current state of the party, Gwale highlighted the deepening factional struggle between two opposing camps.

“We all know there’s a faction in the party, one led by Dungurawa, who has the backing of the Kano State government, and the other led by Zarewa. But you know, it’s politics; internal issues are bound to arise, especially as we approach the 2027 general elections,” Gwale said.

He noted that the Dungurawa-led faction recently suspended four federal lawmakers from the party.

According to him, this division could weaken the party’s prospects if left unresolved.

“The party is not in a good position heading into 2027 unless they sit down, amend their differences, and prepare for the politicking ahead,” he added.

Is NNPP still trusted in Kano?

Despite these internal challenges, Gwale believes NNPP still enjoys significant support in Kano, largely due to the influence of the Kwankwasiyya movement and the administration’s infrastructural efforts.

“People still trust the party in Kano because it’s new and hasn’t exhausted the patience people have for it. In terms of infrastructural and human development, the NNPP under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is trying,” he explained.

However, he acknowledged that the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) remains strong, benefiting from federal influence.

“The APC is still active and enjoys the backing of the federal government. Their leaders, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and former governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, are doing everything to maintain relevance in the state,” Gwale stated.

Can APC reclaim Kano in 2027?

When asked about APC’s chances of reclaiming power in 2027, Gwale remained cautious, citing the unpredictability of Nigerian politics.

“We cannot predict the outcome directly, but many unfolding events will play a role. The trust in NNPP and Kwankwasiyya still exists. However, the country’s economic situation could affect APC’s chances in many states, not just Kano,” he explained.

Despite the challenges, Gwale said the APC is already strategizing.

“They still have time to woo voters, and they are doing that now. But unseating an incumbent government is not easy. You need public trust and other political factors to align in your favor,” he said.

Commenting on recent political shifts, Gwale pointed out a significant change on how the opposition is being treated in Kano.

“The state government now allows the opposition to operate freely, something they didn’t enjoy when they were in opposition,” he observed.

However, he warned that the defection of government officials to the opposition is a worrying sign for NNPP.

“When people in government, despite all the benefits of being in power, start leaving for the opposition, then something is not working as it should. We are seeing special advisers resigning and joining the opposition. this is alarming, and they need to address it before it’s too late,” he cautioned.

Auwal Sumaila, a resident in Hotoro revealed to this reporter that the suspension of Kawu Sumaila and other lawmakers will surely affect the NNPP.

“Most people are in the party because of Kawu. So, when he leaves, he is leaving with his people for sure. I will follow him to whatever party he leaves for,” he said.

Recall that the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, revealed that more key figures from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) will soon defect to the ruling party on Sunday during an empowerment program.

According to him, the APC’s policies and governance approach were attracting opposition members.

Also, at the empowerment program, Rep. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), pledged that the NNPP will be defeated in Kano before 1 p.m on election day in 2027.