The political camps in Kano State is becoming increasingly divided as two members of the House of Representatives, elected under the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), publicly severed ties with the Kwankwasiyya Movement, an influential bloc led by former governor and NNPP national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Kwankwaso remains the dominant figure in both the party and state politics, with his influence bolstering the position of the current Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, who is also his son-in-law.
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The breakaway lawmakers—Hon. Aliyu Sani Madakin Gini, representing Kano Municipal, and Hon. Alhassan Rurum, representing the Rano/Kibiya/Bunkure federal constituency—announced their disassociation with Kwankwaso’s faction over the weekend.
Rurum, a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, made his announcement during a media interaction.
While he refrained from elaborating on the reasons behind his decision, political observers speculate that it may be tied to the recent dissolution of the state’s five emirate councils, which stripped him of his traditional title as the ‘Turaki’ of the defunct Rano Emirate.
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Rurum, however, affirmed his continued allegiance to the state’s governor and expressed dissatisfaction with the current trajectory of the NNPP.
“I am still in the NNPP under its founder, Dr. Boniface,” Rurum stated, denouncing Kwankwaso for allegedly taking control of the party for his personal interests.
He further criticized Kwankwaso for what he described as a betrayal of Dr. Boniface, the man who had once supported Kwankwaso and provided him with a political platform.
“Dr. Boniface supported Kwankwaso and gave him a platform; it will be wrong to hijack the party from him and treat him badly,” Rurum said.
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Hon. Aliyu Sani Madakin Gini, who serves as the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, made a similar move by declaring his separation from the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
In a Sunday address to his constituents, he made it clear that he no longer associates with the influential group.
“From today, I, Aliyu Sani Madaki, no longer associate with the Kwankwasiyya Movement,” he announced.
Madakin Gini went on to criticize the Kwankwasiyya Movement for undermining loyal party members who, in his view, played an integral role in the NNPP’s success.
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“They have dismissed us, saying we lack support, but we are not afraid to stand alone,” he asserted.
He also declared his readiness to confront anyone within the movement, if necessary, adding that he had no fear of standing apart.
The lawmaker also took aim at the Red Cap, a trademark symbol of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, calling it a sign of subjugation.
“Anyone who considers me their leader in politics should remove the red cap. Women should remove the red veil. We are done!” he said, much to the applause of his supporters.
Madakin Gini also addressed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, warning that forces within the NNPP were attempting to weaken him.
“They are trying to weaken him. I urge him to stand firm; otherwise, he may be blindsided by those around him. I have insights into plans against him,” he claimed.
His comments came amid growing speculation that a faction within the party is pushing the governor to break away from Kwankwaso’s control and assert his authority as the elected leader of Kano State.
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