The leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party has stated that they have not suspended Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, from the party and there are no valid reasons to do so.
A section of the NNPP, led by Major Agbo, announced the governor's suspension for six months on Tuesday.
This action was taken because the governor did not attend a disciplinary committee hearing to address an alleged violation of the party’s constitution.
The announcement of Yusuf’s suspension was made by the National Secretary of the faction, Ogini Olaposi, during a press conference in Abuja.
Olaposi said, “We called this media conference to brief you on developments resulting from the recent invitation extended to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano to appear before a disciplinary committee to explain infractions on the party constitution.
“Nigerians need to know the position of the New Nigeria People’s Party following the failure of the governor to appear before the Disciplinary Committee to explain the reason(s) His Excellency who was elected on the party’s platform and a national figure of NNPP participated in an illegal/factional national convention of NNPP held by the Kwankwasiya group at Wuse 2 in Abuja on Saturday, April 6.
“With the approval of the Board of Trustees of New Nigeria Peoples Party and the unanimous decision of the National Working Committee of our great Party, His Excellency, Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State is at this moment suspended for six months with immediate effect.”
In response, NNPP’s acting National Chairman, Dr. Ahmed Ajuji, stated in an interview with journalists on Thursday in Abuja that the governor remains a bona fide member of the party.
He stated “For record purposes, Gov. Yusuf is a bonafide member of our great party and a worthy ambassador of NNPP whose leadership and unprecedented achievements in Kano State is a thing of pride to us, and as such we have no any reason to suspend him. In essence, the NNPP did not suspend our governor.”
Ajuji described those claiming the suspension of Yusuf from NNPP for participating in the party’s national convention as political jesters, mercenaries, and individuals seeking attention as irrelevant.
He continued “The jokers played back a cracked record and poorly scripted movie of suspension of the Kano State Governor as their sponsors and target audience no longer listen to the endless suspension and expulsion of Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the National Leader of the party.
“These political jobbers were also hired to scuttle Yusuf’s election at the Tribunal, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court falsely claiming that he was not duly and properly nominated by the party as its candidate for the 2023 general election.
“To God be the glory the Supreme Court Justices in their wisdom saw through their lies, and agreed with us and the INEC that Yusuf is a bonafide member of NNPP.”
The acting National Chairman of NNPP remarked that these individuals had previously filed numerous lawsuits contesting the party’s leadership. Recently, they attempted to disrupt both the NEC meeting and the National Convention held on April 5 and April 6.
Ajuji stated that the court, which is important for justice and democracy in Nigeria, rejected many of their lawsuits, including the one where judgment was given today.
“The Court also told them to stop acting as party members, but they continue to disobey the law because they have no respect for it.
The group of expelled members played a part in NNPP candidates winning different elected positions, such as governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State House Assembly seats. This increased NNPP's electoral success, unlike before when those positions were given up for personal gain. The party is aware of those trying to destabilize it, but NNPP continues to grow and strengthen in the nation’s political space.
The party does not want to waste time responding to political mercenaries, except for the media attention they receive. These individuals are in contempt of the court, which restricted them from parading as party members, holding press conferences, and releasing statements. The law will soon take action against them.
He confirmed that NNPP is focused on bringing positive change to Nigeria, reflecting the effective governance shown by Governor Abba Yusuf in Kano State.
