As the local government elections in Kano State draw near, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) is facing growing unrest, with protests and defections intensifying over candidate selection.
The internal rift is reportedly weakening the party ahead of the October polls.
Party insiders suggest that the tension stems from the alleged unilateral decision by former Kano State Governor and party leader, Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso, who is accused of handpicking candidates without consulting key stakeholders within the party.
Investigations reveal that no primary elections or consensus-building took place among aspirants from the state’s 44 local government areas.
“Neither party stakeholders nor elected representatives were consulted or informed about the chosen candidates, who are now undergoing drug testing as mandated by the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC),” a source disclosed.
Governor Abba Yusuf is said to be particularly frustrated, having left for London reportedly in protest after being sidelined in the selection process.
He was allegedly not allowed to nominate a candidate from his home local government, Gwale. Similarly, his deputy and the Commissioner for Local Government, Aminu Abdussalam, were excluded from the decision-making process.
Additionally, NNPP Senators Rufai Sani Hanga (Kano Central) and Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila (Kano South), along with members of the House of Representatives, were kept in the dark about how candidates were selected in their respective constituencies.
The controversy has sparked internal conflict within the party, with some members openly protesting, while others, disillusioned by the leadership’s handling of the situation, are quietly planning to defect to either the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
This candidate selection crisis is the latest in a series of challenges facing the NNPP in Kano.
Many within the state attribute unpopular government policies, such as the controversial demolition of buildings, to Kwankwaso’s undue influence.
There is also rising discontent over allegations of lavish government spending amid widespread poverty, and accusations of diverting palliatives meant for the poor and vulnerable.
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