The national leadership of the opposition New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has distanced itself from its national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over his letter to the members of the party in the National Assembly regarding the ongoing Kano Emirate tussle.
The party said Kwankwaso had written a letter to all federal lawmakers elected on the platform of NNPP, signed by one Dr. Ajuji Ahmed, allegedly directing the lawmakers to start criticising President Bola Tinubu and the federal government over the Kano Emirate crisis.
But, in a letter addressed to the Senate President and chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio, dated July 2, 2024, the party leadership distanced itself from Kwankwaso’s unilateral decision purportedly presented as NNPP’s position.
The letter to the Senate President titled: ‘Re: Need for NNPP Federal Lawmakers to make urgent and concerted efforts to end immediately the siege on Kano by agents of federal government’, jointly signed by NNPP National Chairman, Agbo Gilbert Major, and National Secretary, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday, asked the National Assembly leadership to disregard Kwankwaso’s directive.
The letter roads: “Our attention has been drawn to a letter dated the 24th June, 2024 with the above quoted heading and signed by one Dr. Ajuji Ahmed addressed to members of the National Assembly.
“We wish to state clearly and for the records that the letter written by the said Dr. Ajuji Ahmed was without the mandate and authorisation of the legally recognised leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
“On the subject of the disputes concerning the Kano Emirate, we hereby state as follows;
“That the principle of the party remains focused on development and wellbeing of Nigerians.
“That the matter is currently before competent courts of law and any interference by the National Assembly would further complicate the situation in Kano.
“The avoidable tension generated as a result of the actions of the State Government in Kano necessitates the need for vigilance and enhanced security in Kano State to avoid breakdown of law and order.
“It is therefore necessary for the National Assembly to align with the position that would guarantee the protection of lives and properties of our people.
“The New Nigeria People’s Party as a registered political party in Nigeria is not interested in engaging in controversy with any Federal Agency, particularly security institutions.
“The letter and any form of representation by the said Ajuji Ahmed should be disregarded.”
Recall that a pro-democracy group, Progressives League of Youth Voters (PLYV) had earlier raised the alarm over the Kwankwaso’s letter to NNPP lawmakers in the National Assembly.