A faction of the New Nigeria People’s Party in Kano State has rejected the outcome of the party’s national convention held in Abuja, citing a lack of legitimacy and due process. Senator Mas’ud Doguwa, the factional chairman, described the convention as “illegitimate” and stated that his faction would not recognize the exercise as legal due to ongoing court processes.
The convention, which was organized by the Kwankwaso-led faction, re-elected Ahmed Ajuji as National Chairman and Dipo Olayoku as National Secretary, among other positions. However, Doguwa argued that the gathering was not representative of the party as a whole, with critical stakeholders excluded from the process. He characterized the event as a “Kano convention or, at best, a Kwankwasiyya meeting” rather than a national convention.
Doguwa emphasized the importance of respecting the rule of law and the courts, stating that a democratic party cannot be built on illegality. He also stressed the need for genuine reconciliation to precede any credible convention or leadership arrangement within the party, warning that attempts to impose leadership without consensus would further deepen internal divisions.
The factional chairman dismissed speculation that his faction was backing any aspirant ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly the Kano governorship race, stating that it was too early for such endorsements. He noted that many party members were still aggrieved and that there was no basis for endorsing any candidate at this time.
The rejection of the convention’s outcome by Doguwa’s faction highlights the growing tensions within the NNPP. The party’s national convention was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and the re-elected leadership has pledged to work towards advancing the party’s objectives and winning the 2027 general elections. However, without broad-based inclusion and respect for legal processes, the convention’s outcomes may continue to face resistance from aggrieved factions within the party.
