The Kwankwasiyya Movement has defended its stance in the ongoing Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Assembly by-elections, insisting that its decision to support the children of two deceased lawmakers was guided by compassion and respect rather than political calculation.
In a press statement issued on Saturday, the spokesperson of the movement, Habibu Sale Mohammed, said the tragic deaths of the two lawmakers, who represented Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies, left a deep void within the movement and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
“The tragic demise of the sitting members representing these constituencies occurred on the same day,” Mohammed said.
“Both were elected on the platform of the NNPP and were committed members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement until their passing.”
According to him, the movement’s national leader, , considered it morally appropriate to support the nomination of the deceased lawmakers’ children as candidates during the mourning period.
“In the spirit of compassion, continuity, and respect for their sacrifices, our National Leader (Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso) deemed it morally appropriate to support the nomination of their children as flag bearers of the party,” he said, adding that the decision was adopted by the party through a consensus arrangement.
However, the political landscape shifted following the defection of the Kano State governor to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mohammed alleged that new nominations were submitted under the APC banner on the eve of the final submission of candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), including a House Leader in Ungogo Local Government and a Senior Special Assistant to the governor for Kano Municipal.
“It was only after sensing public backlash and widespread disapproval that a sudden reversal occurred,” he stated.
“The same individuals earlier nominated under NNPP were adopted as APC flag bearers, and under intense political pressure, they were compelled to resign their NNPP membership.”
Despite the development, Mohammed said Kwankwaso maintained his original position.
“Our National Leader, in his characteristic statesmanship and respect for the bereaved families, resolved to honour his original stand.
“He maintained that the children of the deceased members should be allowed to return to the State Assembly, irrespective of the political platform they now stand on,” he said.
He further disclosed that the NNPP deliberately refrained from substituting the candidates’ names even after their resignation from the party.
“This action clearly demonstrates that there is only one recognised and legitimate NNPP structure in the state,” Mohammed said.
“Had there been any other faction with lawful standing, as falsely claimed in some quarters, its sponsored candidates would have appeared on the ballot.”
He noted that the absence of NNPP candidates in the by-elections, as reflected in INEC’s official records and ballot papers, should “put to rest all speculation and misinformation.”
“The Kwankwasiyya Movement remains consistent in its principles — loyalty, justice, compassion, and respect for the sacrifices of our fallen members. We urge the public to disregard attempts to distort the facts for political advantage,” he added.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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