The rising political tension inside the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano has reached a boiling point over the deepening breach between Governor Abba Yusuf and his political mentor and party godfather, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Tensions have increased following Kwankwaso’s influence over important party and local government decisions without involvement from the governor.
This includes picking local government chairmen and influencing the party’s political machinery, which has sparked growing anger within the governor’s camp.
“Abba (Gov Yusuf) does not want to denigrate Kwankwaso, but he truly wants to be independent. Ninety per cent of the commissioners were imposed by Kwankwaso, and Abba is still working with them. This shows he still respects him.
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“For a long time, Abba wanted to drop some commissioners who are either incompetent or disloyal to him, but out of respect for Kwankwaso, he reluctantly accommodates them for peace to reign,” an insider close to the governor told Daily Nigerian.
Except for the governor’s participation at Kwankwaso’s birthday celebrations on October 21, where the godfather utilized the occasion to corner the governor in the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport lounge, the couple has not met or spoken in recent months.
Insiders said the governor avoided meetings organized by Kwankwaso at his Miller Road and Maitama houses in Kano and Abuja respectively, without giving any justification.
“He (Governor Yusuf) earlier agreed to attend the Miller Road meeting at night but he kept Kwankwaso waiting through midnight and refused to come,” an informant stated.
Kwankwaso’s efforts to visit or communicate directly with the governor hit a firewall, the NNPP leader allegedly on some occasions made further failed attempts through the governor’s ADC and private secretary.
When attempts to see the governor failed, the NNPP leader allegedly sent a messenger to communicate his command to sack the SSG, who is thought to be the architect of the governor’s revolt.
After Kwankwaso’s direction for the SSG’s sack fell on the governor’s deaf ears, the chairman of the NNPP in Kano, Hashimu Dungurawa, on October 14, announced the expulsion of the SSG and commissioner for Transport over suspected anti-party activities.
Meanwhile, some high-profile NNPP figures, including MPs and commissioners, are rumored to be uniting with the governor.
