The Kano State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has encountered fresh setbacks as two of its prominent federal lawmakers, Aliyu Sani Madakin Gini (representing Kano Municipal) and Alhassan Rurum (representing Rano/Kibiya/Bunkure), announced their departure from the influential Kwankwasiyya Movement. This movement, led by former Kano State Governor and NNPP leader Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has shaped political affiliations in the state. However, recent events suggest increasing discontent within its ranks.
Rurum, a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, revealed his decision to exit Kwankwasiyya in a brief phone call with Daily Trust. His departure is viewed as a response to recent tensions with the NNPP-led Kano State government, particularly over the contentious dissolution of the five emirate councils. As the traditional Turakin Rano, Rurum’s decision reflects the direct impact this dissolution has had on his standing within his community. While he was not able to elaborate further due to connectivity issues, sources close to him cite the ongoing internal disagreements as a significant factor in his choice to step away.
Meanwhile, Madakin Gini, serving as the Deputy Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, publicly distanced himself from the Kwankwasiyya Movement during a weekend gathering with his constituents in Kano. His departure comes with sharp criticisms of the movement’s leadership, signaling his frustration with what he described as a lack of recognition and respect within Kwankwasiyya’s ranks. In a pointed address, he declared his independence from Kwankwasiyya, encouraging his supporters to discard the symbolic red caps and veils associated with the movement. “From today,” he declared, “anyone who considers me their leader in politics should remove the red cap. Women should remove the red veil. We are done!”
Madakin Gini did not hold back in his critique of Kwankwasiyya’s leadership style, implying that loyalty to the movement has been prioritized over genuine service and respect for individual contributions. He described Kwankwasiyya’s symbolic red cap as a “tool of control,” representing a leadership approach he believes restricts autonomy and credits only the movement’s leader for accomplishments made by followers. This, he contends, has stifled growth and led to disillusionment among some members.
In a direct message to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Madakin Gini expressed concern that the governor was facing pressures from within Kwankwasiyya. He urged Yusuf to stand his ground against those he perceives as exerting undue influence, warning that failure to do so might lead to unforeseen consequences. His statement aligns with a broader sentiment emerging among some Kano politicians who feel the governor should distance himself from the influence of Senator Kwankwaso and others at the movement’s helm.
In recent weeks, a separate campaign has gained traction, encouraging Governor Yusuf to free himself from Kwankwasiyya’s grip, citing concerns about overreach by the movement’s leadership in government affairs. This campaign echoes the sentiments voiced by Madakin Gini and Rurum, suggesting that dissatisfaction within the movement may be more widespread than previously understood.
By distancing themselves, both lawmakers have signaled a shift away from the long-standing influence of Kwankwasiyya in Kano politics. Their exits suggest that cracks are emerging within the NNPP’s power structure, as more members question the balance between loyalty to the movement and their independence as leaders.
