The growing distance between Governor Abba Yusuf and his political mentor and party godfather, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has become the focal point of the New Nigeria Peoples Party’s (NNPP) internal strife in Kano.
Following Kwankwaso’s takeover of important party and local government decisions without the governor’s input, tensions have increased.
This involves selecting the chairmen of local governments and exerting influence over the party’s political apparatus, which has stoked escalating animosity within the governor’s administration.
While Abba (Gov Yusuf) does not wish to disparage Kwankwaso, he genuinely aspires to independence. Abba continues to collaborate with the commissioners, of whom Kwankwaso forced 90%. This indicates that he still esteems him.
According to an insider close to the governor, “Abba has long wanted to fire some commissioners who are either unfit or disloyal to him, but he reluctantly makes room for them so that peace can reign out of respect for Kwankwaso,” the Daily Nigerian reported.
With the exception of the governor’s attendance at Kwankwaso’s birthday festivities on October 21, when the godfather took advantage of the occasion to corner the governor in the lounge of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, the two have not spoken or met in several months.
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According to insiders, Kwankwaso called meetings at the governor’s homes on Miller Road in Kano and Maitama in Abuja, but the governor refused to attend without providing an explanation.
An insider disclosed that Governor Yusuf had previously consented to attend the Miller Road meeting at night, but he refused to show up and kept Kwankwaso waiting until midnight.
The governor blocked Kwankwaso’s attempts to meet or communicate directly with him. According to reports, the NNPP leader occasionally tried again in vain through the governor’s ADC and private secretary.
Following unsuccessful attempts to meet the governor, the NNPP leader allegedly dispatched an emissary to deliver his order to fire the SSG, who is thought to have been the mastermind behind the governor’s uprising.
Hashimu Dungurawa, the Kano NNPP chairman, announced on October 14 that the SSG and commissioner for transportation had been fired for alleged anti-party activities after Kwankwaso’s request that the SSG be fired was ignored by the governor.
Rumor has it that a number of prominent NNPP members, such as lawmakers and commissioners, are siding with the governor.
