The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has dismissed the suspension of Senator Kawu Sumaila (NNPP-Kano) and three federal lawmakers as null and void, insisting that the move lacks legitimacy.
On Monday, the Kano State chapter of the NNPP suspended Senator Sumaila, who represents Kano South District, along with three members of the House of Reps —Rep. Ali Gini, Rep. Sani Rogo, and Rep. Kabiru Rurum.
The party’s chairman in Kano, Hashimu Dungurawa, told journalists that the four lawmakers were suspended for alleged anti-party activities.
However, in a swift response on Tuesday, NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Oginni Olaposi, dismissed the action as baseless and politically motivated.
“The purported suspension was aimed at disparaging the bonafide NNPP,” Olaposi stated.
“The National Working Committee of the party was not informed of any so-called anti-party activities by the lawmakers.”
Olaposi also accused those behind the suspension of being loyalists of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, a faction linked to former NNPP presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
“We do not want Nigerians to be misled by a group that does not believe in the rule of law and public order,” he said.
According to him, the political alliance between the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya Movement ended after the 2023 elections.
“In the interest of public order and peace, we want to clarify that the Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso-led Kwankwasiyya Movement lacks the locus to act or speak on behalf of the NNPP,” he said.
Olaposi further cited a court ruling that he claimed reaffirmed NNPP’s leadership under its founder and Board of Trustees Chairman, Boniface Aniebonam.
“It is on record that the Abia State High Court, on November 1, 2024, terminated the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya Movement and directed INEC to hand over the party’s administration to Dr. Boniface Aniebonam,” he added.
The NNPP urged the public, especially residents of Kano State, to ignore what it described as falsehoods spread by those masquerading as party members.
“Their pronouncements are false and misleading. We hereby dissociate the NNPP from reckless and unguided statements capable of causing public unrest in Kano State,” Olaposi stated.
He also called on security agencies to investigate those attempting to create tension in the state.
“We urge the Department of State Security Services (DSS) to invite those behind this unrest for questioning,” he said.
