NNPP

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State has criticised the arrest of one of its members, Aiha K. Nass, by security operatives in the state.

The party made its position known through its State Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Karaye, who spoke at the party’s headquarters. He described the arrest as unacceptable and warned against actions that could undermine democratic principles.

In a statement, the party urged security agencies to remain neutral and avoid actions that may suggest bias in a democratic system.

Karaye called for the immediate release of the detained member. He stressed that every citizen is entitled to freedom of speech and association under the law.

He also appealed to the Kano State Government to uphold democratic values. According to him, democracy forms the basis of the government’s legitimacy.

The party further advised its supporters to remain peaceful as efforts continue to address the issue.

“Finally, the party calls on all to remain calm, law-abiding, and adhere to the rules of the game,” the statement added.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Abba Kabir Yusuf has relieved Engr. Buba Galadima of his position as Chairman of the Governing Council of Kano State Polytechnic.

The decision was announced in a statement issued on Saturday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

In his place, the Governor approved the appointment of the Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, Emir of Gaya, as the new Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council.

According to the statement, the removal followed a restructuring process aimed at aligning the Polytechnic with the administration’s Kano First Agenda and ongoing reforms to enhance institutional performance. Although members of the Governing Council are expected to serve a three-year tenure, Galadima’s appointment was terminated before its expiration as part of the reform measures.

Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation to Galadima for his contributions during his tenure and urged the new Chairman to deploy his experience and leadership in repositioning the Polytechnic for improved academic and administrative excellence.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kano State chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has asked President Bola Tinubu to remove the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the date fixed for the 2027 presidential election.

The party made its position known on Saturday through a statement issued by its Kano State Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Karaye.

In the statement, the party said the presidential poll has been scheduled for 20 February 2027. It noted that the date falls within the Ramadan fasting period observed by Muslims.

The NNPP described the timing as unacceptable. It argued that the development could affect the turnout of Muslim voters across the country.

“This is a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise the majority Muslim population in the country,” the party stated.

The party also accused the INEC Chairman of displaying what it termed religious bias in the choice of the election date.

It therefore urged the President to take immediate action by removing the electoral body’s chairman. The party said such a step would promote fairness and rebuild trust in the electoral system.

“For any election to be accepted by the Muslim majority in the country, the President must replace him with a more credible Christian who will ensure justice and fairness for all,” the statement added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has faulted a proposed bill before the United States Congress that seeks to impose sanctions on its national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over alleged religious freedom abuses.

The legislation, introduced by five US lawmakers in the House of Representatives, is titled to address concerns about religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria. The bill seeks to compel the US Secretary of State to present a detailed report on efforts to tackle the situation.

If passed into law, the proposal would mandate the Departments of State and Treasury to apply sanctions such as visa restrictions and asset freezes on individuals or organisations accused of “severe religious freedom violations” in Nigeria.

Among those listed in the bill are Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, alongside Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and groups described as Fulani ethnic nomad militias.

Reacting in a statement issued on Wednesday, NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, dismissed the allegation. He described the move as politically motivated and unfair to the party’s leader.

“We see this development as a contrived action against an innocent man who clearly has no relationship with religious fundamentalism in Nigeria,” the statement reads.

“His record is there in the public domain, either in public office or in private life, and it is advisable for people to investigate such things properly before reaching such conclusions.”

Johnson linked the development to Kwankwaso’s earlier reaction to the redesignation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” by former US President Donald Trump over claims of religious persecution.

Kwankwaso had cautioned against what he termed oversimplified portrayals of Nigeria’s security challenges. He stressed the country’s sovereignty and noted that violence in Nigeria involves criminal elements across regions.

Riley Moore, one of the sponsors of the bill, had questioned Kwankwaso’s role in religious matters. He cited the full implementation of Sharia law in Kano State during Kwankwaso’s tenure as governor.

The NNPP spokesperson, however, criticised the US lawmaker’s position. He argued that the party leader has consistently spoken about insecurity in Nigeria.

“Is Rep Moore being fair or selective? Isn’t the US in a good relationship with Qatar and Saudi (both Sharia countries)?”

“Isn’t it strange that it is Kwankwaso, an opposition leader that has spoken out so many times about the insecurity under this administration, that the United States now seems to be turning on?”

Johnson added that Kwankwaso made significant security gains during his time as governor. He said Boko Haram activities were eliminated in Kano under his watch and noted that the former governor maintained cordial relations with Christian leaders.

“These are the facts, which we think should guide the Congress and its leaders, particularly Reps Riley Moore and Chris Smith, to do a thorough investigation on the credibility of our leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, so that justice is done to his noble name and cleared of such undue embarrassment,” Johnson added.

By  Ibrahiym A. El-Caleel

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso should be competing on the national stage with contemporaries such as Senator Bola Tinubu, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and other Class of 1999 political actors. By pedigree, experience, and longevity, Kwankwaso has clearly outgrown Kano politics, and he does not need to prove it again in 2027. However, he appears stuck in state-level politics. 

Kwankwaso is at odds with the two successive Kano governors after him, both of whom are his protégés: Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and the incumbent, Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf. He says they have “betrayed” him. There was a show of electoral force at his residence in Kano this afternoon. A large number of people trooped into his Miller Road residence in what he later called a “solidarity visit”.  

These developments indicate that Senator Kwankwaso is once again positioning himself for state-level dominance rather than advancing a national ambition in 2027. Ideally, Kwankwaso should defeat Governor Abba through a candidate he anoints for #KanoDecides2027. But a deeper question remains: should the 2027 ambition of a politician of Kwankwaso’s stature be focused on unseating a “betraying” godson at the state level, when Kwankwaso’s contemporaries have either honourably retired from politics or are positioning themselves for the presidency? 

Who exactly would Kwankwaso replace Abba with, and what assurance does he have that a newly installed godson would not eventually “betray” him, just as Ganduje and Abba did? At this point, there is little reason to believe the outcome would be different. The current godsons around him are likely to use his influence to rise and then assert their independence once in office. There is no clear indication that they would be more submissive than their two elder political siblings, Ganduje and Abba. How do you keep doing the same thing repeatedly while expecting a different result? 

There is also a genuine political risk. What if Abba Yusuf, like Ganduje before him, survives the onslaught and secures a second term? This is not an endorsement of electoral malpractice, but a recognition of Nigeria’s political realities. Kano’s 2019 gubernatorial election demonstrated how powerful interests can intervene decisively; Dr Ganduje ultimately retained office despite glaring indications that he lost at the polls.

If a similar outcome were to occur in 2027 and Governor Yusuf were to proceed to a second tenure, would that not constitute a second public humiliation for the godfather? What explanation would suffice then? That yet another protégé has matured enough to build political alliances strong enough to neutralise Kwankwaso’s influence? At that point, the narrative shifts decisively: from betrayed mentor to diminishing power broker.

On the other hand, if Senator Kwankwaso succeeds in unseating Governor Yusuf and installing another loyalist, what exactly would he be celebrating at the end of the day? That Kwankwasiyya has simply replaced Kwankwasiyya? That a godfather has prevailed over his own godson? Such victories may satisfy the logic of control, but they do little to expand political influence, strengthen institutions, or advance democratic culture. At best, they amount to an internal power rotation within the same political family, offering no clear gain to the broader society.

Ultimately, this debate goes beyond personalities. Do we really need a political model anchored on godfathers, covenants, and lifelong loyalty to patrons? Has Buhari’s repeated endorsement of anointed candidates meaningfully improved governance or political culture in the North? Has Tinubu’s entrenched godfatherism in the South West translated into measurable social or institutional progress? Until we seriously examine the long-term costs of political baptism, loyalty tests, and patronage politics, it remains difficult to argue that godfatherism is the most viable model for a modern democratic society.

 Ibrahiym A. El-Caleel wrote via caleel2009@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam

The leadership crisis rocking the Kano State chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has intensified following the appointment of Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya as Acting State Chairman after the removal of the former chairman, Hashimu Dungurawa.

The Daily Reality reports that the decision was announced after an emergency meeting of the NNPP State Executive Committee held at the party’s secretariat in Kano, where members endorsed Abiya’s appointment in line with the party’s constitution.

Speaking on the development, the party’s Assistant Legal Adviser, Barrister Yusuf Mukhtar, said the emergence of Abiya followed due process and was consistent with the provisions of the NNPP constitution.

He explained that the move came after Dungurawa was rejected and removed at the ward level.

Party sources disclosed that the action was based on a formal resolution submitted by the Dawakin Tofa Local Government Executive Committee, which recommended the sack and expulsion of Dungurawa over alleged anti-party activities.

It was gathered that the resolution originated from the Gargari Ward Executive Committee in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area and was forwarded to the state leadership by the local government executive, led by Hon. Abdullahi Ali Uban Iya Dawanau.

The ward-level decision was reportedly adopted at the second executive meeting of the Gargari Ward, held about two weeks after the general election, where Dungurawa was accused of actions deemed inimical to the party’s interests.

After reviewing the report, the State Executive Committee ratified the resolution and approved Abiya’s emergence as Acting State Chairman, party officials said.

NNPP officials described the move as part of efforts to restore internal discipline, strengthen party unity and reposition the party for future political engagements in Kano State.

Reacting to his appointment, the Acting Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya, said the party would ensure fairness and justice for all members.

He added that the Kano NNPP would remain loyal to the party’s national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as well as the Kano State Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf.

By Uzair Adam

Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, the House of Representatives member for Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency in Kano State, has officially returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

Kofa disclosed this in a statement he personally signed on Monday, noting that he received a warm reception from thousands of his supporters in his hometown of Kofa, Bebeji Local Government Area.

The gathering reportedly resolved to leave the NNPP/Kwankwasiyya movement and join the APC in solidarity with the president’s agenda.

According to him, the event was attended by approximately 2,000 Islamic clerics who offered special prayers for the president, as well as for peace, development, and progress in Kiru/Bebeji, Kano State, and Nigeria at large.

Kofa’s defection comes two months after his expulsion from the NNPP, which sources say was due to alleged anti-party activities and unpaid membership dues.

His departure underscores the ongoing internal challenges within the NNPP in Kano and marks a significant political realignment in the state.

A former APC member and ex-Director-General of the Tinubu Support Group, Kofa’s return to the ruling party strengthens the APC’s foothold in Kano ahead of the 2027 elections.

By Uzair Adam

Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has stated that his party is open to forming alliances with other political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In an interview with BBC Hausa, the former Kano State governor emphasised that the NNPP is willing to collaborate with any party that shares its commitment to improving the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

Kwankwaso clarified that any potential alliance with the APC or other parties must come with clear, tangible benefits for the NNPP, highlighting the party’s nationwide structures and gubernatorial candidates in all states.

He said, “If you are asking us to join APC, you must tell us what NNPP will gain. We have gubernatorial candidates in all the states and full structures nationwide. What will you offer them if we join?”

The senator reiterated that alliances will be based on shared ideals that guarantee a better quality of life for Nigerians.

He described the 2027 elections as likely to be fiercely contested, noting that citizens are now more informed, concerned, and engaged than ever before.

“We’re ready for anyone, whether it is the APC, PDP, ADC, Jonathan, or Peter Obi. If we are satisfied with their competence, we will join forces to achieve success.

“The key thing is that whoever we ally with must be committed to the needs of Nigerians,” Kwankwaso said.

He also condemned the state of insecurity in parts of the country, including Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Kaduna, noting that ordinary citizens are the main victims while political elites live in luxury in Abuja.

On the recent proposal by the National Assembly to amend the 2022 Electoral Act, which would schedule presidential and governorship elections six months before the expiration of incumbents’ tenures, Kwankwaso said he is ready for elections to be held at any time, provided there is adequate notice for mobilisation.

Addressing claims of undue influence over the Kano State government, Kwankwaso dismissed the allegations as baseless, insisting that the current administration is acting independently and that time will reveal who is truly in charge.

“Our position is simple: if he seeks our counsel, we will gladly offer it. But if we notice anything wrong or harmful, we will call his attention to it. “That is why people claim they will defeat us, but the truth is, the youths are more aware now,” he clarified.

By Abdulrahman M. Abu-Yaman 

The title race is between two horses and a little horse that needs milk and needs to learn how to jump. –  Jose Mourinho

When the controversial Jose Mourinho made this statement above, it was about football and the race to the Premier League title in 2014, but we never knew a time would come when it would be more suitable to fit into the Nigerian political context as it relates to the switch and frequent change of allegiance from one political party to another.

THE FIRST HORSE

The first horse, being the All Progressives Congress (APC), is the current defending champion in political power and the acclaimed favourite to retain the presidential title going into 2027, based on the power and influence that come with being an incumbent leader in Nigeria. Only once has it occurred since the fourth republic that an incumbent was defeated, and even that took what some have tagged as a miracle when President Jonathan made the famous call to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari (of blessed memory) and conceded. 

This horse has taken on different forms over the years and has been given various names by the political power brokers who have bet on it to win. Part of its defunct origin was the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), formed in 1998, a year before the fourth republic general elections. However, its popularity was quite limited to the northern part of Nigeria, not as pronounced in other regions of the country. Former President Muhammadu Buhari had contested twice and lost under the ANPP in 2003 and 2007, respectively.

Another major segment of its primordial origins emerged from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which was formed in 2006. It was formerly known as the Action Congress, which in turn was formed from the merger of its factions with minor political parties, including the Alliance for Democracy (AD), the Justice Party (JP), and the Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), among others.

Then came the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), founded in 2009. It gained significant influence due to the impact of late Muhammadu Buhari and his millions of supporters in the northern part of Nigeria, who contested under the party’s platform in the 2011 elections. 

In 2013, the progressives and congresses in some major political parties with these words present in their acronym merged into one; the Action Congress of Nigeria, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), a faction of the All Progressive Grand Alliance and finally, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) – the most formidable opposition group as a party in Nigeria since the return to democracy in 1999 to unseat any incumbent President in power.

THE SECOND HORSE(S)

The second horse(s) in the race are obviously divided and sharing that position based on recent trajectories and events that had left one of the horses deemed as second favourite to crumble and hanging on a thin thread; speaking of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), as long as it still has time to regroup and put its house in order, it cannot be ruled out of the race based on its political structure long established that cuts across all states in Nigeria.

The PDP was formed in 1998, in the twilight leading up to the 1999 general elections, by a group of political bigwigs who adopted Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former military head of state and a prisoner released from the dungeon after the end of the Abacha era. Obasanjo, coming from the south-west region of the country, was seen by many as the best candidate to step into what would have been Chief MKO Abiola’s rightful position as winner of the annulled June 12 elections if he had lived up to 1999 but for his sad and shocking demise in 1998.

The PDP won the 1999 election by a majority of votes and held a majority of seats in the National Assembly. In 2003, the party continued to dominate the political space in Nigeria, growing in influence and power, albeit under some questionable electioneering processes in 2003, 2007 and 2011, respectively, having spent sixteen years in power as the ruling party. During that period, it became the largest party not only in Nigeria but also on the African continent.

However, unfortunately for the PDP, their dream of achieving the milestone of twenty years in power was cut short in 2015 when the APC, a new, formidable force energised and regrouped, ran them out of control. 

Since then, the PDP has contested twice as an opposition party and lost to the APC in 2019 and 2023, but edged them out in 2015. The PDP has also had to lose some of its members who have decamped to the APC and has since struggled to remain as firm and relevant as it once was. The only reason it occupies the second spot as a favourite is its longevity, structural base, and the influence of some stakeholders behind the corridors of power, who are still salvaging what is left to stand firm.

Moving away from the PDP, the other second favourite only came to fruition and gained traction a few months ago, orchestrated by one man, Mal. Nasir El-Rufai, who initiated the movement that led to the formation of a coalition that later evolved into the political party rebranded as the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The party had been in existence before its formation in 2005 as the Alliance for Democratic Change. 

The formation of the ADC elicited mixed reactions in the Nigerian political space. While some saw it as the long-awaited vibrant opposition to challenge the incumbent party in power, others viewed it as a selfish endeavour created by those who had been bruised and pushed out of the epicentre of power, seeking to make a comeback by any means necessary. This notion was proven to be more relevant when the ADC reached out to past or aggrieved members of the APC and PDP to form part of its board and core membership from the official flag-off. 

Nevertheless, it is still considered the second favourite in the race because if history is anything to go by, just as in the words of Jesse Jackson: 

“In politics, an organised minority is a political majority”

Just as in the case of the APC, which was formed two years short of the 2015 elections and later emerged as the winner, the regrouped ADC party and its influx of new members can’t be underestimated.  

Another reason the ADC could be frontrunners could be their ability to capitalise on the harsh economic realities in the country that have affected the masses and present the party as an alternative to better their welfare, just as the same members of the ADC did way back in 2015 when they were members of the APC, which they now want to substitute out of power. 

THE LITTLE HORSE IN THE RACE

The little horse that needs milk to learn how to jump is the Labour Party (LP). It was also driven and triggered to relevance in the 2023 general elections due to the influence of one man, specifically Peter Obi, who was spoken of as the party’s flag bearer. The LP not only defeated the APC in their own stronghold in Lagos but also defeated the ruling party in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria’s capital and centre of governance. It was unprecedented and sent a clear message that the LP did not just come to make up the numbers like some minority parties. 

But be that as it may, their numbers in Lagos and Abuja, coupled with the ones from the east and the Niger Delta region, were not enough to put them in second position in the race. This is why it needs to spread its wings to cover all political nooks and crannies in other regions, especially northern Nigeria, where it is yet to get a solid grip.

The recent involvement of Peter Obi with the ADC could lead to a compromise and weaken the party’s strength, as it revolves around him. One of the LP’s former spokesmen also lamented him for not doing enough as a leader and his inability to resolve the party’s internal crisis. He also raised concerns about his failure to build a strong party base to secure the mandate. 

Still, the only reason the LP is coming in third in the horse race is because of the unexpected stunt it pulled and its potential to do more if, and only if, it can capitalise on its momentum to leap ahead like other horses in the race.

THE EXODUS AND CONVENIENT SWITCH BETWEEN PARTIES 

Nigerian politics and politicians tend to switch sides to any political party that offers them a higher chance of winning. It occurred in 1999, when the PDP was formed and founded by members of various political parties. 

In 2003, as the PDP grew in strength and power, it received more members, and others had to decamp from their prior political platforms to join it. It was beginning to look like the only way to win an election was to join the party that was already winning. 

2007 and 2011 were no different as the PDP retained power in government. However, the only parties that managed to maintain some of their strongest and most popular members were the ANPP in 2003/2007, and the CPC in the 2011 general elections, when they fielded Muhammadu Buhari as their presidential candidate in the respective years.

In the buildup to the 2015 election, a massive exodus of politicians decamped from the ‘umbrella’ that had sheltered them in political office to the newly formed APC, which was gaining immense popularity, especially in the northern and western parts of Nigeria. The presidential flag bearer was a familiar figure who was contesting for the fourth and possibly his last attempt, having been persuaded to do so. The APC, like the PDP in the past, also welcomed all members from other parties, irrespective of their past reputation or allegations while in office. In the end, the party grew from being the strongest opposition to becoming the favourite to win the election, which they eventually did.

LOST OF POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES/IDENTITIES

When we start seeing political players decamping at will, it is time to question whether any of the political parties place a high premium on their criteria for membership in relation to their ideologies before accepting any candidate into their fold. Do politicians care any less if the party they join aligns with their manifestos and visionary blueprint for good governance and leadership?

It is beginning to look like a game of chess, with calculated moves aimed at checkmating the ultimate power in the political positions they crave. The only pawns in this game are the masses who have yet to figure out that changing their clothes to another has nothing to do with the real person behind those clothes. A stained reputation, especially in previous leadership positions, coupled with a proven track record of underperformance and incompetence, cannot be covered by new political platforms.

However, the interesting aspect of all this is the emergence of a solid opposition to keep the ruling parties on their toes. Previously, with the decline and crisis in the PDP, Nigeria was moving towards a single-party state due to the frequent switch of its members to joining the APC. It is well timed that the LED coalition, which has resolved to adopt the ADC as its political platform, includes big names like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is also a former PDP presidential aspirant. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, has also been seen and involved in some of their meetings. And for the first time since the APC’s ascension to power, they seem concerned about the growing popularity of the ADC and the threat it may pose to their hold on power. Deja vu?

Conclusively, all the parties involved in the horse race have exhibited similar symptoms of identity and ideological crisis in their consistent switch of allegiance to suit their needs. The thin line between them is getting blurrier in their actions and adoptions. Everyone is welcome to any party at any time. No litmus test, exceptional integrity, or individual evaluation criteria needed. Once you are in, all sins are forgiven, and then you are baptised as a new member. 

The ADC is not only like the APC alphabetically, but also in the content of its members and its contextual existence. The primary concern here is whether some members of the ADC could potentially break away from the party in the future, particularly in the event of any unresolved disagreement or fallout within the party. Are we to brace ourselves for another hypothetical ‘ABC’ party if it comes to that? Time is the ultimate revealer. 

By Anwar Usman

Former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Engr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Tuesday met with party stakeholders in Cross River State to map out strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in Calabar, Kwankwaso urged party members to prioritise unity and strengthen the party’s presence across the state.

He said, “I thank all the leaders and members of NNPP in Cross River State. I want to use this opportunity to thank you for receiving us. We are so happy with the leadership of the party in the state. I want to encourage you to work hard to ensure unity within the party.”

He stated that the party must work with “one mind” if it hopes to win both the state and national elections in 2027.

“Let me thank you for what you did during the last election in 2023. I urge you to work harder so that by the grace of God our party, the NNPP will win election in Cross River and Nigeria.”

He further stated that, “ensure unity within the party especially now that we have a new big office in Calabar and many local government areas across Cross River state. On behalf of members of my entourage, I want to say thank you and God bless you”.

The party chairman of the state, Barr. Tony Odey, described Kwankwaso’s visit as a morale booster.

Odey said, “We have assembled stakeholders from different walks of life to engage in meaningful discussion, share ideas and chart a new course for our collective progress. Your insight and guidance will undoubtedly enrich our capacity.”

Furthermore, he acknowledged the efforts and contributions of the Contact Committee led by Alhaji Ahmed Bichi, for providing office accommodation and donation of an official vehicle, which he described as “sources of envy to other Political Parties in the State”.

Earlier, the publicity secretary Odey Nyambi, while delivering vote of thanks, thanked the national leader for engaging stakeholders and supporters in the state, assuring that NNPP will win Cross River in the 2027 general elections.