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Kwankwaso: NNPP, PDP, any which way? By Adnan Mukhtar Tudunwada

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Adnan Mukhtar Tudun Wada ,Analyst

 

It’s no longer news that a former governor of Kano Senator, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is on his way to joining the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP. The former governor, who hinted this to BBC Hausa on Thursday, said that arrangements were in place to defect to the new party.

The NNPP had yesterday dissolved all members of the National Working Committee, State, Local and Ward Exco’s in a move to welcome the leader of Kwankwasiyya Movement.

Mr. Kwankwaso, who commands a large number of supporters, has been a strong man as far as Kano politics is concerned, since 2011 when he was re-elected as governor of the state.

When Mr Kwankwaso defected to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), he held sway in the state. He enjoyed large followership. In fact, his announcement of planned defection to NNPP came to many as a shock. But many analysts and observers became more surprised when the state executives of the PDP under Shehu Wada Sagagi indicated interest to remain in the party even after the formal defection of their leader.

One apparent factor pushing Mr Kwankwaso out of the PDP is his seeming disagreements with party stakeholders from the North-West after they rejected his preferred candidate, Mohammed Jamu Yusuf, as the Zonal Vice Chairman of the party. This was because majority of the party stakeholders from the region had settled for Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, a former Chief Whip of the Senate. During an interview with the BBC Hausa at his residence in Abuja, Mr Kwankwaso had accused Governor Aminu Tambuwal of aiding his opponents from Kano to fight him.

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After sensing a possible defeat Mr Kwankwaso, through a pseudonym, filed a suit at a High Court in Zaria under Justice Kabir Dabo to stop the Zonal Congress that was slated for February. Since then, Mr Kwankwaso has been plunged into a political dilemma, hence his search for a political platform to pursue his presidential aspiration and that of his anointed gubernatorial candidate for Kano, Abba Kabir Yusuf of popular Gida-Gida meme.

On February 22nd, Mr Kwankwaso launched a political movement that Nigerians saw as Third Force.

Unfortunately, the movement did not gain traction because the security challenges bedeveiling this country stole the minds of Nigerians at the time of the launching.

In my article titled: ‘The National Movement and Matters Arising’, I dissected the weaknesses of the movement as lacking in the capacity to assemble the required number of electorate to make any meaningful impact in the 2023 general election, let alone assuming the mantle of leadership in this country. From the caliber of the people that gathered at the event, one would be rushed to a conclusion that the movement belongs to the popular saying: Dead on arrival.

Now, to the NNPP issue, the presence of Buba Galadima and Rufai Ahmed Alkali at a meeting with the leadership of the party, and the emergence of Mr Kwankwaso’s loyalist, Umar Haruna Doguwa, as the acting Chairman of the party in Kano, speaks volumes that the former governor had concluded all arrangements to take over the party for his presidential ambition, especially knowing fully well that the two big political parties in the country will not give the chance to do so.

The big question, however, is not about Kwankwaso joining the NNPP but about his motive behind doing so. Could it be that the Senator is out for a mischief against the PDP in Kano State, considering that he is not only a stakeholder but a brand in his own right?

Can Kwankwaso achieve his mission by joining a small platform like the NNPP, or is he only opting out of the PDP in order to hatch his long hidden agenda of destabilizing the party in the state? These answers are better answered by time and patience.

In the final analysis, I believe that Kwankwaso should leave the PDP and leave it for good. He should allow party system to work its course, abandon his plans to hold on to a structure and crop of loyalists in the party who do his biddings even if these biddings are contrary to the dictates of the party. Refusing to heed to this advice will only continue to tarnish his long and outstanding career in politics. With large followers, the Kwankwasiyya Movement is capable of forming a new party. I was amazed seeing Kwankwaso cross-carpeting to a party that he didn’t form himself.

After Kwankwaso formal defection to the NNPP, I envisage that the PDP will dissolve the Kano executives and consider other loyal members that are willing to steer the activities of the party to victory during the 2023 elections.

Sagagi and other executives at all levels should also leave and allow others with fresh ideas and the party at heart to take over. Because it’s obvious that their loyalty is not with the National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu but with Kwankwaso who gave them all to the positions they are occupying. But in politics, you can’t be loyal to two different parties. It’s not only an act of sabotage but anti-party activity, punishable by expulsion.

May Nigeria and Nigerians succeed!

Mr Adnan, a Journalist and Political PR Consultant, wrote in from Lagos.

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Politics

200,000 APC Members in Kano Dismiss Allegations Against Ministerial Nominee Yusuf Abdullah Atta as Baseless

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Over 200,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State have dismissed allegations of incompetence against the ministerial nominee, retired Hon. Yusuf Abdullah Atta, as baseless. Some APC members in Kano believe the allegations stem from personal grudges held by a few individuals who are not legitimate members of the party.

In a statement, Mustapha Gidan Magani, the secretary of APC Kwaciri Ward, on behalf of the entire executive committee of APC Fagge Local Government Area, rejected the allegations of anti-party activities during the 2023 general election. The executives argued that those intending to submit a petition to the Senate, claiming to represent 50,000 APC members, have no legal standing to make such claims.

The APC executives from Fagge Local Government Area are prepared to counter the petition, asserting that it will have little impact on the confirmation of Atta as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development. They expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for nominating Atta, highlighting his administrative skills and dedication to serving humanity.

 

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PDP Youth Activist Calls for Suspension of Shekarau, Bello Hayatu from the party

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Salisu Usman Karaskabuli, a youth activist of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano, has called for the immediate suspension of several high-ranking party members, including former governor Ibrahim Shekarau, Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, and Yahaya Bagobiri.

He accused them of sabotaging the party’s efforts in the state and hindering PDP’s progress in the region.

Addressing journalists in Kano, Salisu Karaskabuli alleged that Shekarau has engaged in anti-party activities during the 2023 governorship election.
“Despite being a PDP leader, the majority of his supporters backed the APC candidate,” Salisu Karaskabuli said.
He further claimed that Shekarau is already mobilizing his supporters to work for Senator Barau’s governorship ambitions in 2027, signaling ongoing disloyalty.

Salisu Karaskabuli also blamed the PDP National Vice Chairman for the Northwest Bello Hayatu Gwarzo for failing to unite the party across the region.
He noted that prominent PDP members, such as former governors Ibrahim Shema of Katsina and Ramalan Yero of Kaduna, had defected to other parties due to Gwarzo’s ineffective leadership.
Concerning the recent PDP congress in Kano, Usman expressed frustration, rejecting the outcomes of the ward, local government, and state congresses.
He accused the leadership of the party for partisan zoning and disqualifying candidates without valid reasons.

Further accusations were leveled at Yahaya Bagobiri, the chairman of PDP elders in Kano.
Salisu Usman claimed that Bagobiri had leaked sensitive party information to the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Usman Karaskabuli called on the national leadership of the PDP to investigate the accused members and, if found guilty, take appropriate disciplinary action.

The accusations come at a time when the PDP in Kano and the wider Northwest is grappling with internal divisions, which some fear could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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APC Youth Activist Urges President Tinubu to Appoint Murtala Sule Garo as Minister

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Sadiq Ali Sango

 

Sadiq Ali Sango, a prominent youth activist of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider appointing Murtala Sule Garo as a minister in the forthcoming cabinet reshuffle.
Sango made this known in a statement released to journalists in Kano.

The Federal Government recently announced that President Tinubu would soon reshuffle his cabinet, sparking widespread speculation over potential new appointees.
Sango expressed optimism that Garo, a grassroots politician with a proven track record, would be a fitting choice for a ministerial position.

“Murtala Sule Garo is not only a politician but a true son of the soil, with immense contributions to the APC in Kano,” Sango stated.
“His service as the APC’s deputy gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 election and his unwavering commitment to the party despite not having the reins of government in Kano makes him the ideal candidate for Tinubu’s cabinet.”

Sango further highlighted Garo’s role in holding the party together during difficult times, describing him as the “supporting pillar” of the APC in Kano.
“He has carried the party on his shoulders, providing support to party leaders and members alike,” he added.

With the APC no longer in control of Kano State’s government, Garo’s influence at the grassroots level has been pivotal for the party’s continued strength in the region.
According to Sango, Garo’s appointment would reinforce the party’s position in Kano and contribute to the success of President Tinubu’s administration.

The call for Murtala Sule Garo’s inclusion in the Federal Executive Council comes amid growing anticipation regarding the composition of the new cabinet and the need for strong political figures to represent Kano at the national level.

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