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Members of the Kano State House of Assembly have unanimously supported the State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf's intention to switch to the All Progressives Congress (APC), believing that staying in the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), which is currently facing significant legal challenges, poses serious risks.
The assembly members recalled the difficult political experience of Zamfara State, where the Governor lost his position due to lacking a party affiliation, emphasizing that this was a crucial reason for their backing of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's proposed departure from the NNPP.
The legislators contend that the ongoing leadership crisis and numerous court cases affecting the NNPP are reminiscent of the internal conflicts that led to the All Progressives Congress (APC) losing control of Zamfara State in 2019, despite having won the elections.
Speaking with reporters on Thursday, the Majority Leader of the House, Lawan Hussaini, stated that the Assembly could not overlook the legal threats surrounding the party, cautioning that remaining with the NNPP could expose the governor and other elected officials to the risk of judicial removal.
“There is an existing court judgment that recognizes a specific faction of the NNPP,” Hussaini informed the media.
“We cannot continue to stay in the party and risk a repetition of the legal catastrophe that occurred in Zamfara State.”
According to him, the NNPP is currently fractured by competing leadership claims and ongoing litigation, leading to uncertainty regarding the party’s legal standing and the legitimacy of its nominations for future elections.
Hussaini clarified that the Zamfara case serves as a stark reminder of how internal party disputes can undermine electoral victories.
Drawing lessons from that experience, Hussaini asserted that Kano lawmakers fear a similar outcome could happen if the NNPP’s internal issues are not resolved. He warned that ongoing factional disputes and court cases could invalidate the party’s candidates, even after they have successfully won elections.
He stated that this apprehension influenced the Assembly’s decision to support calls for Governor Yusuf and the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to contemplate leaving the NNPP for what he described as a more stable political platform, such as the APC.
Hussaini added that lawmakers are already in discussions with Yusuf and Kwankwaso to agree on what he termed a “strategic and timely” defection that would protect the mandate entrusted to them by voters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the Kano State lawmakers supporting Governor Yusuf's defection to APC?
The lawmakers believe that remaining in the NNPP, which is facing significant legal challenges, poses serious risks, similar to the political fallout experienced in Zamfara State.
What lessons from Zamfara State are influencing Kano lawmakers?
The experience in Zamfara, where the Governor lost his position due to a lack of party affiliation amidst legal issues, serves as a warning about the dangers of internal disputes within a political party.
What are the concerns regarding the NNPP's internal leadership?
The NNPP is currently divided by rival claims to leadership and ongoing litigation, creating uncertainty about the party’s legal standing and the validity of its future nominations.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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