NNPP confirms Kano Governor Abba Yusuf as party leader, dismissing Rabiu Kwankwaso’s claims, and urges media to report accurately
The National Vice Chairman, Northwest, of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Sani Danmasani, has clarified that Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State is the party’s leader, dismissing claims that former presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso holds the position.
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In a statement released on Tuesday, Danmasani emphasised that by the constitution of the NNPP, leadership is vested in the party’s sole governor.
He noted that Kwankwaso’s tenure as the NNPP 2023 presidential candidate ended with the expiration of the Memorandum of Association between the party and the Kwankwasiya Movement.
“It is not even news that some key members of the Kwankwaso movement, including Kwankwaso, were later expelled from the NNPP for anti-party activities,” Danmasani stated.
The NNPP chieftain expressed concern over continued media references to Kwankwaso as party leader, warning that such misrepresentation has created confusion around alliance negotiations for the 2027 elections.
“We reiterate that negotiations for 2027 alliances with Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiya movement are acceptable, but they are invalid if conducted purportedly on the NNPP platform,” he said.
“Only Dr Boniface Aniebonam, founder and life member of the board of Trustees, and the National Executive Committee led by Dr Agbo Gilbert can negotiate on behalf of the NNPP. Any other negotiations outside this are null and void.”
Danmasani clarified that while Kwankwaso and his group retain the right to join another party or establish a new one, they remain expelled from the NNPP and cannot act as its representatives.
He also urged Kwankwaso to refrain from using the NNPP name in public statements, stressing that President Bola Tinubu is not responsible for Nigeria’s challenges in insecurity and the economy.
“We believe that with the intervention of friends of Nigeria like America and Israel, the nation shall be great once again,” he said, referring to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The party official concluded by calling on the media to properly designate Kwankwaso as a former senator, ex-governor of Kano State, and 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, but not as the party leader.
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Danmasani added that ongoing judicial review is expected to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to update its records to reflect the correct leadership.
