Since after the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) won the Kano State governorship election and over 30 Federal and State Houses of Assembly seats, in the 2023 general polls, it has not enjoyed the victory because of unresolved internal wrangling and legal battles.

The more it tries to remain afloat and strategise ahead of upcoming elections, the more it is bogged down by one crisis or the other.

About 6 months ago, a group led by the party’s founder, Boniface Aniebonam, kicked against the leadership style of its 2023 presidential candidate and national leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and demanded his resignation.

The ding dong led to the back and forth of suspensions and counter suspensions, expulsions and counter expulsions and legal limbo.

Just when the storm appeared over, the Kano State Election Petition Tribunal dropped its sledgehammer on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, by sacking him; a situation that has rattled the NNPP.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its Kano State gubernatorial candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, had challenged the legality of Yusuf to participate in the exercise, alleging that he was not a member of the party.

Expectedly, the NNPP and Yusuf challenged the judgement and filed an appeal. Three Justices; Moore Aseimo Abraham Adumien JCA; Bitrus Gyarazama Sanga JCA; and Lateef Adebayo Ganiyu JCA heard the matter and delivered their judgement in the Appeal No/ CA/KN/ EP/GOV/KAN/34/2023, on November 17, 2023, upholding his removal.

Piqued by the outcome, the party filed a suit at the Supreme Court.

But before then, chieftains of the party had picked holes in the judgement and alleged that the Appeal Court judgement was ruled in favour of governor Yusuf as contained in the Certified True Copy (CTC).

The National Working Committee led by the National Secretary, Dipo Olayoku, during one of its media outings said the party smelt a rat when bottlenecks were created in getting the CTC, not until November 21.

While presenting the CTC to the public in Abuja, he said “the judgement is actually in favour of our candidate, the governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf.

“At page 67 of the extant judgement in its conclusive findings held inter alia:”In the circumstances, I resolve all the issues in favour of the Appealant” (Engr. Yusuf Abba Kabir) “the judgement of the Tribunal in petition No: EPT/KN/GOV/01/2023 between the All Progressives Congress (APC) Vs INEC & 2 others delivered on the 20th day of September 2023 is hereby set aside.

“The sum of N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) only is hereby awarded as costs in favour of the appellant (Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf) and against the 1st respondent (APC).”

In a swift reaction, the Appeal Court clarified that the bone of contention was a mere ‘clerical error’. A legal term that has left tongues wagging.

In fact, political and legal pundits have contested the true meaning of a ‘clerical error’ of a case that is so sensitive going by the volatile nature of Kano State.

The embattled party has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC), to intervene by reviewing the judgement.

“We are calling on the National Judicial Council (NJC), to without delay commence investigation to unravel what happened in the matter.

“Also, we are calling on eminent members of the bench (both retired and serving) and the bar, to be interested in what happened that we have the kind of scenario presented in the CTC of the judgement of the Appeal Court.

“In addition, we call on leaders, elders and other major stakeholders in the Nigerian project, including the media, to step into this matter to avert the danger this type of signal from the judiciary portends for our democracy in particular, and our country in general.

“From the scenario presented by the judgement above, it is crystal clear that something is wrong somewhere and the onus is on all of us as Nigerians to unearth the riddle,” Olayoku said.

Also, the acting National Chairman, Kawu Ali led some members of the party to the headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), embassies of the United States of America, United Kingdom and European Union, in Abuja, to register their displeasure.

Now, the loud silence of Kwankwaso is troubling some supporters of the party who are not sure if he has resigned to fate or not.

Those in the know pointed out that the APC would do everything possible to reclaim Kano State because of how strategic it is in 2027, and to tame the administrative style of governor Yusuf whom they accused of trying to crush the political structure of APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.

Notwithstanding, a member of House of Representatives from Kiru/Bebeji Constituency Kano State, Abdulmumin Jibrin, charged the judiciary to be upright in the discharge of its responsibilities.

Jubrin said the party was not at loggerheads with the presidency or President Bola Tinubu, adding that the NNPP caucus in the national assembly were not happy with the political scheme of things.

“As a caucus in the national assembly, we are concerned about the development as it relates to Kano State governorship election.

“We will continue to have confidence in Nigeria judiciary. We all know what happened in the tribunal and, also, what happened in the appeal and confusion that has followed as a result of release of the CTC.

“So, as a caucus, we will continue to discuss among ourselves to see how we will continue to encourage the judiciary and to support the judiciary to always uphold what is right, serve justice and stand on the side of truth and, to focus on what lawyers would call substantial justice.

“Well, it is important that you take note of this. We are not fighting anyone, and you can look at it from the history of when we won election. We were in talks for alliances. It collapsed.

“But I can assure you that the position of the NNPP as at today, is still open for collaboration, alliance and even merger with all the political parties; be it APC, PDP, LP or any other party that is ready to work with us. But again, we have tried our best and we have decided to put ourselves together.

“Anybody who invites us, we will go and sit down and have discussions with them and see the terms and conditions.

“The most important thing is that it has to be in the interest of Nigerians. We are not making trouble with anyone. We are at peace with the President.

“Everybody knows my relationship with the president. All we ask for is justice,” he said. (Daily Sun)

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