 is set to convene an emergency meeting after several prominent members recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).){kind=link}
The Kano State chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) is set to convene an emergency meeting after several prominent members recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Senator Masud El-Jibril Doguwa, the Kano State NNPP Chairman who leads the faction known as the “basket and full of fruits” group, confirmed the planned meeting on Friday.
He blamed the internal crisis within the party, particularly the alleged marginalization by the Kwankwasiyya movement, for the mass exit.
On Thursday, the NNPP witnessed the departure of notable figures, including Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila representing Kano South Senatorial District; Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly and current representative of Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Federal Constituency; Sha’aban Sharada, former representative of Kano Municipal; and Aliyu Gini of Dala Federal Constituency, among others.
Speaking to PUNCH, Doguwa said the defections did not come as a shock, attributing them to frustrations arising from leadership disputes within the party.
“When I assumed the position of chairman, I made moves to unite all members, but the Kwankwasiyya group refused to cooperate or acknowledge my leadership,” he stated.
He accused the Kwankwasiyya faction of fostering inequality and mistreatment within the party, which he said drove many loyalists away. However, Doguwa assured that discussions among stakeholders were underway, and an emergency meeting would soon be called to assess the situation and chart the way forward.
Doguwa dismissed allegations that his faction was collaborating with the APC, emphasizing that the NNPP remains an independent and credible platform.
“We have not entered into any negotiations with other parties,” he insisted.
On the ongoing internal conflict, Doguwa maintained that his group is the legitimate leadership of the NNPP, recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He described the Kwankwaso-led faction as merely a group of individuals but noted that his faction remained open to reconciliation efforts to rebuild the party.
Looking toward the 2027 general elections, Doguwa revealed that consultations are ongoing regarding potential political alignments.
He stressed that the NNPP would continue to strengthen its membership base despite the recent setbacks.
Commenting on the defections, he said, “Switching parties is a normal phenomenon in Nigerian politics. Even prominent political leaders across the country have changed affiliations over time.”