NNPP Kano Factional Chairman Announces Emergency Meeting After Wave of Defections to APC

The Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) fruit basket faction in Kano State, Senator Masud El-Jibril Doguwa, has announced plans to convene an emergency meeting following the recent defections of several key party figures to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Among those who defected on Thursday are Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila (Kano South Senatorial District), Kabiru Alhassan Rurum (Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Federal Constituency and former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly), Sha’aban Sharada (former representative of Kano Municipal Federal Constituency), and Aliyu Gini (Dala Federal Constituency), among others.

Speaking on Friday, Doguwa said the defections were not unexpected, blaming the internal crisis within the NNPP, particularly the dominance of the Kwankwasiyya faction led by former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

“When I took over as chairman, I made efforts to bring everyone on board. But the Kwankwasiyya group refused to cooperate and recognize my leadership, making it difficult to move the party forward,” Doguwa stated.

He accused the Kwankwasiyya leadership of orchestrating the marginalization and maltreatment of loyal party members, forcing many to abandon the party.

Despite the setbacks, Doguwa insisted that his faction remains the legitimate leadership of the NNPP in Kano, recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He also dismissed rumours of negotiations with the APC, stressing that the NNPP remains “a credible and independent political platform.”

Doguwa expressed readiness for reconciliation efforts aimed at rebuilding the party, emphasizing that consultations were ongoing ahead of potential “alignments and realignments” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The NNPP, which made significant electoral gains in Kano during the 2023 polls, now faces internal divisions threatening its future stability.