The purported understanding between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, along with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano, to facilitate their move to the All Progressive Congress (APC), has stirred up political tensions. These maneuvers, however, face resistance from Abdullahi Ganduje, the chairman of the APC, who stands as a political adversary to Kwankwaso.
The suspension of Abdullahi Ganduje as National Chairman of the ruling APC is widely perceived as orchestrated by the Kano state government and the political movement led by the Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso faction of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). This suspicion is fueled by the alleged sponsorship of a press conference by seven individuals claiming leadership of the APC Ganduje Ward, where Ganduje’s suspension was announced.
Despite their initial visibility, these individuals have since remained inaccessible to the media, raising doubts about the authenticity of their claims. The situation escalated when 27 exco members of the APC Ganduje Ward refuted the suspension, alleging impersonation and denial of involvement in the decision.
Shortly after their first press conference, a court order was obtained affirming Ganduje’s suspension. However, this was swiftly countered by another court order obtained by Ganduje’s camp, restraining the implementation of the suspension.
The prevailing belief among the public is that these developments are part of a broader strategy by the Kwankwaso faction to pave the way for their entry into the APC. Ahmad Aruwa, the state’s APC spokesman, dismissed the suspension as inconsequential, emphasizing the reversal of the court’s decision and attributing the incident to impersonation and external influence.
Regarding the Kwankwasiyya faction’s purported intention to join the APC, Aruwa highlighted their apprehension towards Abdullahi Ganduje’s leadership. He asserted that while the APC welcomes new members, Kwankwasiyya and NNPP hesitate due to their perceived subservience to Ganduje’s authority as National Chairman.
Hashimu Dungurawa, the NNPP’s party chairman, refuted allegations of the party’s involvement in Ganduje’s tribulations, likening their stance to Ganduje’s disavowal of the Kwankwasiyya Movement. Dungurawa commended the actions of the APC Ganduje Ward leaders, attributing their suspension of Ganduje to concerns about corruption allegations and the party’s integrity.
Despite speculations about Kwankwasiyya’s potential alignment with the APC, Dungurawa affirmed the NNPP’s independence and disinterest in affiliating with Ganduje’s party.
These developments underscore the political tensions and maneuverings surrounding Abdullahi Ganduje’s leadership in the APC, with Kwankwasiyya Movement’s role looming large in the unfolding narrative.
