The Kano State Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Alhaji Hashim Dungurawa, has insisted that he remains the substantive chairman of the party in the state, dismissing reports of his expulsion as invalid and unconstitutional.
Dungurawa stated this on Tuesday in Kano while reacting to questions from journalists over the leadership crisis rocking the party and speculations of possible defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“I am still the chairman of the NNPP in Kano State. The so-called expulsion does not follow due process and therefore has no effect,” he said.
He explained that under the party’s constitution, only the National Executive Committee (NEC) has the authority to discipline or remove a state chairman.
“You don’t remove a state chairman that way. Complaints are sent to the national leadership, meetings are called, and decisions are taken collectively. What is happening now is baseless,” Dungurawa said.
The NNPP chairman also described the current political tension in the state as easing, attributing the calm to ongoing consultations among party leaders.
“We thank God because the situation is calming. There is progress, and the party and the government are working in the same direction,” he said.
On recent meetings held by the party’s national leader, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, with elected officials, Dungurawa said the engagements signified internal dialogue rather than defection plans.
“I am not part of those meetings, but I witnessed their presence. It only shows that there is engagement and progress,” he said.
He reaffirmed that both Kwankwaso and Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf remained members of the NNPP, dismissing speculation of a move to the APC.
“Did you see anyone remove the symbol of the NNPP? They are still working together for the interest of Kano State,” he said.
Dungurawa also downplayed reports that some local government chairmen and lawmakers had endorsed a possible defection of the governor.
“All these endorsements are irrelevant. Our position is clear — we remain NNPP, and we do not support any move to APC,” he added.