The leadership of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has distanced itself from the trial of former Kano State governor, and National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje.
At a press conference in Abuja today, the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Ajuji Ahmed, the party said it has no interference with the governance of the state, and decisions made by the state executive.
It however commended the state government’s efforts at ensuring accountability, as it expressed confidence that the move would restore public confidence in government.
Dr. Ahmed also spoke on the call for reconciliation with aggrieved party members who splitted into a parallel group, adding that “they know more than some of us, the route to take if they want to return to the party.”
The NNPP leader also disclosed the readiness of the party to participate in the upcoming Ondo and Edo States governorship elections.
This is as he dismissed concerns of the party trading its place for the APC in 2027.
Reading through a statement, Dr. Ahmed stated, “For record purposes, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is a bona fide 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 reason to suspend him. In essence, the NNPP did not suspend our Governor.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the Press, Nigerians were amused early this week when expelled political comedians, hirelings and clowns craving for relevance announced the suspension of the party’s action Governor Abba Yusuf for attending the NNPP national convention.
“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 His Excellency, Engr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the National Leader of the party.
“These political jobbers were also the ones hired to scuttle Governor Abba 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 own wisdom saw through their lies, and agreed with us and the INEC that Gov. ABBA Kabur Yusuf is a bonafide member of NNPP.
“These same set of people have at various times instituted several suits in court challenging the leadership of the party and of recent tried to scuttle the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and the National Convention held on Friday, April 5, 2024 and Saturday, April 6, 2024
“The court being a temple of justice and beacon of hope for sustainable democracy in Nigeria dismissed many of their suits, including the one which judgment was given earlier today.
“A Court even ordered them to stop parading themselves as members of the party, but because they don’t have any regard for the law, they continue in their contemptuous activities.
“The grouse of these expelled members was the participation of NNPP candidates in various elective positions in which the party won a governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly seats which boosted the electoral fortune of NNPP, unlike before when such positions were traded off for personal gains.
“The party is aware of their sponsors and their aim of destabilising it. They have failed as the NNPP keeps growing from strength to strength, expanding its frontiers in the nation’s political space.
“The party will not dissipate energy responding to political hirelings if not for the wide media reports accorded them as they seek public attention to remain relevant and carry out the agenda of their sponsors.
“In other climes these comedians would not receive such attention as they are clearly in contempt of court that restrained them from parading themselves as members of the party, organising press conferences and issuing press statements. Soon the full weight of the law will be brought to bear on them.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the Press, our great party is focused on ushering in a new and better Nigeria as exemplified in the good governance of Kano State by His Excellency, Governor Abba Yusuf.
The party is united and strong in fostering sustainable democracy in Nigeria. And Governor ABBA Kabir Yusuf is championing this.”
