By Milcah Tanimu
Factional members of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) have publicly rejected Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s leadership, escalating internal conflicts within the party. This declaration occurred at the NNPP secretariat in Minna, Niger State, where factional National Chairman Dr. Gilbert Agbo stated that Kwankwaso’s recent suspension by the National Working Committee in Lagos marks a definitive end to his role in the party.
Agbo asserted, “Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiya group pose a clear threat to the progress and existence of our party.” He further illustrated this point by overseeing the symbolic burning of the iconic red caps associated with the Kwankwasiya movement, signaling a firm split from Kwankwaso’s faction.
Additionally, the anti-Kwankwaso faction raised concerns regarding Governor Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, revealing his expected appearance before the party’s disciplinary committee. According to Agbo, this summons arises from the governor’s alleged violations of party principles.
In contrast, Mallam Danladi Umar Abdulhamid, leader of the Kwankwasiya Movement in Niger State, dismissed Agbo’s faction, asserting that Kwankwaso remains the legitimate leader under Dr. Ahmed Ajuji’s recognized leadership. “This movement against Kwankwaso serves only Dr. Agbo’s interests and not the people’s,” Abdulhamid stated.
Meanwhile, the NNPP received a boost as over 1,000 former APC members defected to the Kwankwaso-led faction in Kano State, pledging their support for the party. The defectors were welcomed by state party chairman Dr. Hashimu Suleiman Dungurawa during a campaign launch for the upcoming local government elections in Tofa and Ghari Local Government Areas.
Both NNPP chairmanship candidates for the elections, Yakubu Ibrahim Adis of Tofa and Hashimu Mai Sabulu of Ghari, expressed optimism about the party’s growing influence.
