The Kwankwasiyya Movement, a political faction aligned with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State, has defended its decision to support the candidacies of children for two deceased state assembly members, framing the move as one of compassion rather than political strategy.
In a statement, movement spokesperson Habibu Sale Mohammed explained that the deaths of the lawmakers for Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies on the same day created a moral imperative. He stated that NNPP national leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso deemed it appropriate to support the nominations of the deceased lawmakers’ children to ensure continuity and honour their sacrifices. This decision, he said, was adopted by the party through a consensus arrangement.
The political dynamics shifted following the defection of the Kano State Governor to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mohammed alleged that the individuals previously backed by the Kwankwasiyya Movement were subsequently nominated as APC candidates on the eve of the final submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He claimed these candidates were compelled to resign from the NNPP under political pressure.
Despite these developments, Mohammed affirmed that Kwankwaso maintained his original position, believing the children should be allowed to contest regardless of their current party platform. Crucially, he disclosed that the NNPP state leadership deliberately did not substitute the official candidate lists with INEC even after the resignations.
“This action clearly demonstrates that there is only one recognised and legitimate NNPP structure in the state,” Mohammed stated, countering claims of factionalism. He argued that the absence of NNPP candidates on the ballot papers for the by-elections, as confirmed by INEC’s official records, should end speculation about parallel party organs.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement reiterated its principles of loyalty and respect for fallen members, urging the public to disregard what it called attempts to distort the facts. The by-elections will proceed without NNPP candidates, a direct outcome of the party’s refusal to replace the resigned nominees, highlighting the internal tensions following the governor’s party switch. The results will determine representation for the two constituencies in the Kano State House of Assembly.
