In this interview, Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs Ibrahim Waiya addresses allegations that Governor Abba Yusuf’s defection constitutes treachery. He claims the governor’s future in the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, was unknown, making his shift to the All Progressives Congress, APC, unavoidable.
Is it true that the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) is undergoing an internal crisis?
Initially, the NNPP’s logo included a basket of fruits. Along the way, an attempt was made to convert the logo to a book, which the creators believed violated agreements because they had not been consulted. They reached the court. Approximately two courts decided against the book logo.
Kano has three leaders: Hashim Dungurawa, Kwankwaso, and Elmasud Doguwa. Even the fruit basket group claimed to have suspended the governor, the party’s only governor. You should be aware that there is a significant situation.
How would you stay in a party with this kind of internal conflict? He opted to relocate because we knew we wouldn’t have a party. We knew it did not exist.
And the party’s founder, Mr. Boniface, expressed his disapproval at every forum over the logo’s development and change. You have the NNPP factions of Boniface and Kwankwasiyya.
If you recall, that was the source of the conflict, which resulted in the defection of people like Ali Madaki, Alhassan Rurum, and others who claimed to be members of the NNPP and wore a fruit basket logo before defecting to another party.
But is Kwankwaso not aware of all of this?
He is aware of all of these, including all court decisions, among others.
How can you expect someone like the governor to stay in that type of party? What happens if you remain there? In the near future, the party will not be legally recognized.
The Deputy Governor has yet to defect.
The governor and his deputy ran on a combined ticket. Since he chose not to follow his principal, we expect him to resign honorably.
If you asked the Deputy Governor to resign, what about those who want the governor to give up authority, given assertions that the mandate belongs to the NNPP?
We know that the NNPP platform was exploited to win the election, but the people voted for the governor. And he works for the people. His first loyalty is to the people of Kano State, not to anyone else.
If this is considered betrayal, what do you term other defections? This isn’t the first of its sort. He was the governor when he moved with his followers to the APC, and now we have a similar scenario in which the governor has also migrated with his followers to the party.
You ran in a byelection with the book logo, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, recognized the party?
Until recently, the opposing faction, the Boniface faction, has been lobbying INEC to acknowledge the court decision that supported the fruit basket logo. All alterations were made without their knowledge.
Recently, a court ruling was issued in Abuja against the national convention that was conducted there.
Kwankwaso felt deceived given how he helped the governor. How would you react to this?
Didn’t you see photos of what happened when Ganduje hugged the Governor? There has never been a more significant period in Kano State’s history. All of the leaders have set aside their disagreements and resolved to work for Kano’s progress.
We convinced Kwankwaso and the governor to bring us to the APC since the NNPP has no future. Kano, as an oppositional state, was isolated. President Tinubu has approved the long-awaited metropolitan train service.
Consider the enhanced relationship between government and security agencies. Today, we have people like Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin who will contribute to the state’s progress. It has also helped to alleviate political tension in the state. However, labeling this as treason is not helpful, especially coming from a politician who has previously deserted.