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The growing political tension within the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano has reached a boiling point over the deepening rift between Governor Abba Yusuf and his political mentor and party godfather, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Tensions have escalated following Kwankwaso’s control over critical party and local government decisions without input from the governor.
This includes appointing local government chairmen and influencing the party’s political machinery, which has fueled growing resentment 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.
“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 appearance at Kwankwaso’s birthday celebrations on October 21, where the godfather used the opportunity to corner the governor at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport lounge, the duo has not met or spoken in recent months.
Insiders said the governor shunned meetings convened by Kwankwaso at his Miller Road and Maitama residences in Kano and Abuja respectively, without giving any excuse.
“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 insider revealed.
Kwankwaso’s efforts to meet or speak directly with the governor met a firewall, the NNPP leader allegedly on some occasions made further futile attempts through the governor’s ADC and private secretary.
When attempts to see the governor failed, the NNPP leader allegedly sent an emissary to convey his directive to sack the SSG, who is believed to be the architect of the governor’s rebellion.
After Kwankwaso’s directive 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 dismissal of the SSG and commissioner for Transport over alleged anti-party activities.
Meanwhile, several high-profile NNPP figures, including lawmakers and commissioners, are rumoured to be aligning with the governor.
Some are said to be even negotiating a potential defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).