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By Myke Agunwa
The Kano State Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Masud El-Jibril Doguwa, has stated that the recent defection of its members into the All Progressives Congress (APC) was due to the frustrations, ill-treatment and marginalization created by the Kwankwasiyya group in the party.
Doguwa who leads the faction known as the “basket full of fruits” group, announced that the party is planning to convene an emergency meeting to realign its structure.
Recall that last Thursday, several NNPP members including members of the National Assembly, including Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South Senatorial District; Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, representing Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Federal Constituency and a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly; Sha’aban Sharada, a former representative of Kano Municipal Federal Constituency; and Aliyu Gini, representing Dala Federal Constituency, among other key figures of the party defected APC.
Addressing journalists in Kano, Doguwa accused the Kwankwasiyya group, led by the former state governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso of pushing members away from the party into the ruling party.
He said, “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”.
According to him, the frustration, maltreatment and inequality within the party, allegedly orchestrated by leaders of the Kwankwasiyya group, led to the departure of many members.
“However, myself and other stakeholders will soon call an emergency meeting to deliberate on the situation and take a clear position,” he added.
Doguwa dismissed claims that his faction was working for the APC, insisting, “NNPP is a credible and independent political platform. We are not in any negotiation with other parties.”
On the rift between his faction and the Kwankwaso-led camp, Doguwa said that his group remains the legitimate leadership of the NNPP, recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He described the Kwankwaso camp as merely a group of individuals. Nevertheless, he said his faction is open to reconciliation, adding that they would not hesitate to invite the Kwankwaso faction to join efforts in rebuilding the party.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Doguwa revealed that consultations are ongoing for possible “alignments and realignments,” while emphasizing that the NNPP would intensify its membership drive.
Reacting to the wave of defections to the APC, he said, “Defections in politics are normal. Even prominent political figures across the country have changed parties over time.”