The Kano State Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Senator Masud El-Jibril Doguwa, who leads the faction known as the “basket and full of fruits” group, has said the party is planning to convene an emergency meeting following the recent defection of prominent members in the state.
It would be recalled that on Thursday, several top NNPP members defected to the All Progressives Congress, including Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South Senatorial District; Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, representing Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Federal Constituency and a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly; Sha’aban Sharada, a former representative of Kano Municipal Federal Constituency; and Aliyu Gini, representing Dala Federal Constituency, among other key figures of the party.
Speaking on Friday, Doguwa stated that the defections did not come as a surprise, blaming the Kwankwasiyya group for pushing members away from the party.
“When I took over as chairman, I made efforts to bring everyone on board. But the Kwankwasiyya group refused to cooperate and recognize my leadership, making it difficult to move the party forward,” he said.
He attributed the defections to what he described as maltreatment and inequality within the party, allegedly orchestrated by leaders of the Kwankwasiyya group.
According to him, this frustration led to the departure of many members.
“However, myself and other stakeholders will soon call an emergency meeting to deliberate on the situation and take a clear position,” he added.
Doguwa also dismissed claims that his faction was working for the APC, insisting, “NNPP is a credible and independent political platform. We are not in any negotiation with other parties.”
Addressing the ongoing rift between his faction and the Kwankwaso-led camp, Doguwa asserted that his group remains the legitimate leadership of the NNPP, recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He described the Kwankwaso camp as merely a group of individuals. Nevertheless, he said his faction is open to reconciliation, adding that they would not hesitate to invite the Kwankwaso faction to join efforts in rebuilding the party.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Doguwa revealed that consultations are ongoing for possible “alignments and realignments,” while emphasizing that the NNPP would intensify its membership drive.
Reacting to the wave of defections to the APC, he said, “Defections in politics are normal. Even prominent political figures across the country have changed parties over time.”