Group seeks Gov Yusuf’s independence from Kwankwaso
A rift has emerged within the Kwankwasiyya political movement, as a faction advocates for the political independence of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from his mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The group, allegedly sponsored by Secretary to the Kano State Government (SSG), Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, argues that significant development in Kano State requires the governor to “free” himself from Kwankwaso’s influence.
Kwankwaso, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, is accused of exerting undue influence over the governor’s administration, with critics describing it as a symbolic third term by proxy.
In response to the allegations, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) suspended both Bichi and Commissioner for Transportation Muhammad Diggol. State party chairman, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa announced the suspensions via an audio message, which he later confirmed to reporters.
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He stated that the officials were suspended for disloyalty, abuse of power, and creating chaos within the party.
“We are suspending SSG Abdullahi Baffa Bichi and Commissioner Muhammad Diggol for abuse of power and disloyalty to the party. We commend the local party leadership for bringing this issue to our attention,” Dungurawa said.
But following a closed-door meeting with Governor Yusuf and the leaders of the dissident group, the SSG distanced himself from the faction.
In a press conference on Monday, the SSG vehemently denied the allegations linking him to the dissident group. “Governor Yusuf is already my boss, and I have submitted myself to him,” he asserted. “I have nothing to do with this group and know nothing about it.”
When approached by journalists on the matter, Kwankwaso declined to comment, stating, “I don’t want to talk, please. Don’t drag me into what I am not supposed to be dragged into. The chairman of the party has spoken and has been speaking; reach out to him.”
For months, there has been a rising chorus on social media and during political programmes on local radio, urging the governor to assert his independence (locally termed Abba Tsaya da Kafarka).
