The National leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has dismissed the reported suspension of Senator Kawu Sumaila and three House of Representatives members—Ali Madakin Gini, Sani Abdullahi Rogo, and Kabiru Alhassan Rurum—calling it a baseless move by the Kwankwasia group.

The suspension was announced by the Kano State chairman of the NNPP, Hashimu Dungurawa, on Monday. He accused the lawmakers of engaging in anti-party activities, claiming their actions contradicted the principles and objectives of the NNPP.

However, NNPP National Secretary Oginni Olaposi refuted the suspension, stating that the Kwankwasia group, led by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, lacks the constitutional authority to take such action. He emphasized that all four lawmakers remain full-fledged members of the NNPP and urged the leadership of the National Assembly to disregard the Kwankwasia group’s claims.

Olaposi further clarified that Kwankwaso, the leader of the Kwankwasia movement, has been expelled from the NNPP and no longer holds any authority within the party. He explained that the memorandum of understanding between the NNPP and Kwankwasia was terminated after the 2023 elections, a decision upheld by the Abia State High Court on November 1, 2024. The court also affirmed Dr. Aniebonam Boniface Okechukwu as the rightful chairman and founder of the NNPP.

“The undeniable fact is that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima were mere representatives of the Kwankwasia movement. It is worrisome that they are still interfering in NNPP’s affairs despite the termination of their agreement with the party,” Olaposi stated.

He urged the public, particularly Kano State residents, to disregard statements from the Kwankwasia group, labeling them as misleading. He also called on the President, the National Assembly, and other political stakeholders to recognize that the NNPP has passed a vote of confidence in all its elected National Assembly members.

The crisis within the NNPP has been ongoing for months, with a bitter power struggle between the Kwankwasia movement and the party’s national leadership. The rejection of the suspensions marks another escalation in the internal rift as both factions vie for control.