The New Nigeria People’s Party accused Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former contender for the party’s presidential nomination, of being to blame for Yusuf Abba, the governor of Kano, losing the State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.
The party stated that in order to negotiate for a cabinet position in the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, Kwankwaso allegedly sold out the NNPP to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Abba was fired by the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on Wednesday, and Nasir Gawuna of the APC was named the victor of the March 18 governorship election.
Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Sacks NNPP’s Abba Kabir, Declares APC Candidate Winner
The Independent National Electoral Commission’s Certificate of Return that was given to Yusuf was also withdrawn by the three-person panel, which was presided over by Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay.
The panel gave explanations for why the Kano governor was removed from office and claimed that the margin of votes obtained by NNPP was unlawful and in violation of the 2022 electoral legislation.
The judges took 165,663 votes away from the NNPP, noting that these voters’ ballots weren’t stamped or signed, making them invalid.
Reacting, In a statement made available to reporters on Thursday, Alhaji Abass Akande Onilewura, a chieftain of the NNPP in the Southwest, claimed that the defeat of the party in Kano proved the anti-party charge levied against Kwankwaso.
Onilewura emphasised that the former NNPP flagbearer’s alleged engagement in anti-party actions was what caused the significant setback the party is now experiencing with the Kano Tribunal’s announcement.
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He argued that Kwankwaso did not choose some of the party’s governorship candidates in accordance with proper process, which allegedly resulted in the filing of unpopular or unsuitable flagbearers.
He added, “This loss is a big one for us at NNPP and it only happened because of the selfishness of Kwankwaso who sold the party to the highest bidder.
“While we are still waiting for the Certified True Copy of the tribunal judgment, it is important for the world to know that this would not have happened if Kwankwaso had allowed due process and given the ticket to the most qualified candidate but his inlaw.
“Our investigation also showed that the continuous engagement of Kwankwaso with APC at some point gave room for them to discover loopholes which were later used against the Kano governor to secure victory for the opposition.
“It is unfortunate that some of us sweat to get the party to where it is today, only for someone like Kwankwaso to come and make all our efforts a waste. We are happy that someone like that has been expelled from this great party.
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“We also want to use the avenue to warn him to stay clear of NNPP, we don’t want a betrayal in our party and we would do anything humanly possible to secure our party from hijackers who are more concerned about personal gain.
“I will also urge our members across the country to remain calm because a new leadership has taken over the party and we would do everything to restore the glory of our party. NNPP will come out to become a strong voice and opposition that would stand for justice, equity, and good governance.”
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