The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has placed blame on former presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso for the loss of Kano governor, Yusuf Abba, at the State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal. The party alleges that Kwankwaso’s actions led to the defeat and accuses him of selling out NNPP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in pursuit of a ministerial position in President Bola Tinubu’s government.
The Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal recently removed Abba from office and declared the APC candidate, Nasir Gawuna, as the winner of the March 18 governorship election. The tribunal’s decision was based on the invalidity of the margin of votes scored by NNPP, which was found to be inconsistent with the 2022 electoral act. The panel deducted 165,663 votes from NNPP, deeming the corresponding ballot papers unsigned and unstamped, thus invalid.
In response to this development, Alhaji Abass Akande Onilewura, a prominent NNPP chieftain in the Southwest, issued a statement on Thursday. He asserted that Kwankwaso’s alleged anti-party activities played a significant role in NNPP’s substantial loss in Kano.
Onilewura contended that Kwankwaso failed to follow due process in selecting some of the party’s gubernatorial candidates, leading to the nomination of unpopular or unacceptable candidates. He criticized Kwankwaso for selling the party to the highest bidder and suggested that the former presidential candidate’s ongoing engagement with the APC provided an opportunity for the opposition to exploit weaknesses that ultimately contributed to their victory in Kano.
He emphasized the importance of adhering to due process and selecting the most qualified candidates to prevent similar losses in the future. Onilewura also expressed the party’s determination to protect NNPP from individuals primarily motivated by personal gain and called for unity among party members under new leadership.
In conclusion, he warned Kwankwaso to stay clear of NNPP and reiterated the party’s commitment to becoming a strong voice for justice, equity, and good governance in Nigeria’s political landscape.