There is disquiet in Rabiu Kwankwaso’s camp of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) over the alleged plans by the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, to dump the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor’s alleged defection plan is said to have unsettled not only the Kano chapter of the NNPP but also the Kwankwasiyya Movement, which Kwankwaso leads.
Governor Yusuf’s decision to move to the APC is said to be tied to his 2027 re-election bid, as the leadership crisis rocking the NNPP at the national level continued to escalate.
But Kwankwaso, who is the governor’s political mentor and benefactor, is said to have kicked against the planned defection, as such a move could whittle down his political influence in Kano State.
The ex-governor is said to be particularly opposed to joining the APC where his former deputy and political rival, Abdullahi Ganduje, holds sway as leader of the APC in Kano State.
Ganduje had on many occasions, and at different fora, vowed to resist any move by Kwankwaso to join the APC.
As part of the moves to dissuade Governor Yusuf from dumping the NNPP, the Kano State chairman of the party, Suleiman Dungurawa, has appealed to him not to join the APC.
Dungurawa said the party was aware of the governor’s moves, stressing that the leadership is worried about the tension and division the defection would create in Kwankwaso’s political camp.
“For the sake of Allah and the Prophet, we appeal to them not to leave this party and not to join the APC, which the masses and voters have rejected.
“We hope that they will remain in this party to help those who are suffering and to advance education, agriculture, commerce, and other sectors.
“We have done everything to persuade them to remain patient and not defect, but that has become difficult.
“The Kano State party, the national party, and our national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, together with other leaders, do not approve of what is happening,” Dungurawa said.
The party chairman however dismissed rumours of a clash between Kwankwaso and Yusuf, saying the governor’s loyalty to Kwankwaso remains intact.