The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has declared total support for Governor Yusuf of Kano State, insisting that it stands firmly behind any political decision he may take amid his face-off with the party’s former presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The position was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the National Chairman of the NNPP, Dr. Agbo Major.
Major described Governor Yusuf as the party’s sole governor and leader, stressing that he must be given full backing to succeed in governing Kano State without political distractions.
“Kwankwaso may have played a role in bringing Governor Yusuf to power, but as an elected governor, he must be allowed to excel without unnecessary interference driven by personal political interests,” the statement said.
The NNPP noted that Kano State remains politically strategic ahead of the 2027 general elections and is critical to the party’s survival and growth.
“Kano is vital to the NNPP, and we cannot allow Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiya Movement to continue meddling in ways that could destroy the gains made by the party in the state,” Major stated.
The party recalled that Kwankwaso, who was the NNPP’s presidential candidate in 2023, was later expelled for alleged anti-party activities, adding that his personal relationship with Governor Yusuf should not interfere with governance or the governor’s political choices.
The NNPP further described it as ironic that Kwankwaso was accusing Governor Yusuf of betrayal, alleging that Kwankwaso himself betrayed the party’s founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam.
According to Major, Kwankwaso attempted to hijack the NNPP after the 2023 elections, despite the expiration of the Memorandum of Understanding between the party and the Kwankwasiya Movement.
“It was Kwankwaso’s multiple litigations that led to the mass defection of NNPP members in Kano State to other political parties,” he said.
Major warned that the NNPP would not stand by and allow Kwankwaso to undermine Governor Yusuf through public statements and alleged political blackmail.
He urged Kwankwaso to emulate the ruling APC, which he said supports President Bola Tinubu to govern without undue interference.
The NNPP chairman added that the escalation of internal litigations under Kwankwaso weakened his influence in Kano State and eroded the strength of the Kwankwasiya Movement.
Major further claimed that the party lost electoral ground and was unable to participate in some elections due to actions allegedly linked to Kwankwaso.
“Given these circumstances, it is understandable why Governor Yusuf may consider decamping to the APC. However, our position remains that he should stay in the NNPP, assume full leadership of the party, and reposition it for greater political relevance,” the statement concluded.
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