The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has appealed to Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to remain with the party amid growing talks of a possible defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party said the call was necessary due to rising political speculations suggesting that the governor and some party members may be considering a move to the ruling party at the federal level.
Speaking in Kano, the NNPP Chairman in the state, Suleiman Hashim Dungurawa, said the plea reflects the collective decision of party leaders and members across Kano.
“On behalf of all of us collectively, we once again appeal to them, for the sake of Allah and the Prophet, not to leave this party and not to defect to the party that we have opposed,” Dungurawa said.
He urged Governor Yusuf and other elected officials under the NNPP platform to remember the trust given to them by voters during the 2023 general elections.
According to him, the party’s mandate in Kano was built on shared principles and promises made to the people.
Dungurawa explained that the NNPP leadership was actively working to resolve internal disagreements that may have fueled defection rumours. He said consultations were ongoing to prevent divisions within the party.
He also noted that the party’s national leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, alongside other key stakeholders, remained firmly opposed to any alliance or movement towards the APC.
“We did everything within our power to persuade them to be patient and not defect to the APC, because of our responsibility to them and our responsibility to the people of Kano,” he stated.
The NNPP chairman rejected claims that some party leaders were attempting to create tension between Governor Yusuf and Kwankwaso.
He described such allegations as false and misleading.
“We have never put anyone against our leader, and if anyone has evidence, let them present it,” he said.
Dungurawa further advised party members to be cautious of documents allegedly circulating online and offline, warning that such materials were the handiwork of individuals seeking to destabilise the party.
He also called on residents of Kano State to remain calm and go about their lawful activities, assuring them that efforts were being made to safeguard political stability in the state.
Reacting to the development, the Director-General of Media and Publicity, Sanusi Bature, confirmed that internal disagreements exist within the party.
“Yes, there are issues within the party, and we are aware of the disagreements,” Bature said. “However, I cannot speak on any matter relating to defection at this time”.
Governor Yusuf, who emerged victorious on the NNPP platform in the 2023 governorship election, remains the party’s only sitting governor nationwide.
His government has not officially declared any intention to leave the party despite persistent claims by rival political groups.
The NNPP said it would continue engagements with its leaders, elected officials, and supporters in Kano to strengthen unity and protect the party’s political structure in the state.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.