*Former Gov To Defecting Members: Betrayal Never Pays
THE political rift between the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, and his godson, Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, over defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has widened and threatens to tear the party, especially in the state, apart, with the former warning party members contemplating defection that political betrayal never pays in politics.
Kwankwaso, a former governor of the state and the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, spoke at his residence during a gathering of supporters, followed reports that Yusuf has finalised plans to dump the Kwankwasiyya Movement and indeed, the NNPP, and join APC.
Kwankwaso said he was not surprised by the alleged moves, adding: “I want to remind those who left us that nobody has betrayed us and succeeded. Political history is very clear on this matter.
“Those who think they can rise by betraying the people and the movement they came from should reflect deeply.”
He, however, stated that defections would not weaken the party, as its strength lies with the people rather than individual office holders, noting: “I am not disturbed by these developments.
“What matters most is the support of the masses, not the movement of a few politicians who are chasing personal interests.
“You can see with your own eyes the number of people who came here today. This is evidence that our movement is alive, strong and firmly rooted among the people of Kano.”
TRhe former senator said NNPP remained focused on its core principles and would continue to serve as a platform for progressive politics in the state and beyond.
The disagreement between the two has led to the suspension of the state chairman of the party, Hashimu Dungurawa, a pro-Kwankwaso politician, allegedly at the prompting of Yusuf, by the executive members of his Gargari Ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Council, who accused him of making “abusive and disparaging remarks” against the governor.
In his place, Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya was appointed as the acting chairman, who has already been endorsed by the State Executive Committee (SEC) loyal to the governor at an emergency meeting at the party’s secretariat in Kano.
Meanwhile, Dangurawa has insisted that he remained the state chairman and party members were not joining APC.
According to him: “We are in our party (NNPP) and I remain the chairman. We are doing everything for the victory of our party. We don’t join issues with other political parties, because the other party (APC) is not our own and we are not its members.
“It was a joke because the proper procedure was not followed. The procedure to expel a chairman of the party of a state doesn’t go that way.
“The procedure is that you convey your complaint or petition to the national secretariat of the party. The national leadership will call a meeting. From there, they will decide what should be done, whether to expel you or not.
“So, it is not from the ward. But the ward executives of the party can sack a governor or a senator. But for an executive member, like me, only the NEC can decide.
“That decision should be taken to the NEC, not by an ordinary person or from the ward. It is just like your village head or ward head saying he has sacked your paramount emir. Will that happen? It can never happen.”
Dungurawa was alleged to have, a day before his sack, publicly labeled the Yusuf’s plan to defect to APC as a “betrayal” of the NNPP and the people of Kano.
