Dungurawa Reasserts Control Amid Kano NNPP Leadership Tussle

The political atmosphere in Kano State has taken a turbulent turn as Hashimu Dungurawa, the embattled Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), firmly reasserted his authority over the state chapter. Following a weekend of internal friction, Dungurawa addressed the media to dispel rumors regarding his status, declaring himself the only legitimate leader of the party in the state. His statement comes as a direct challenge to a localized rebellion that threatened to destabilize the party’s hierarchy in the commercial nerve center of the North.

The crisis ignited approximately twenty-four hours prior, when executive members of the Gargari Ward in the Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area made a bold public move. The ward-level officials signed and released a resolution purportedly expelling Dungurawa from the party altogether. This grassroots uprising sent shockwaves through the local political landscape, prompting questions about the stability of the NNPP’s leadership structure as it navigates the complex political dynamics of Kano.

However, Dungurawa was quick to dismiss the legality of the ward’s actions, characterizing the move as an overreach of constitutional boundaries. He argued that the power to discipline or remove a state chairman does not reside within the jurisdiction of ward-level executives. By attempting to bypass established protocols, he suggested that the dissenting officials were acting outside the framework of the party’s governing documents.

A key pillar of Dungurawa’s defense is his dual role within the party’s national architecture. He pointed out that his position is not merely localized to Kano, as he also serves as a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC). According to his interpretation of the party’s constitution, his membership in such a high-ranking national body provides him with a level of immunity against arbitrary dismissals at the ward or local government levels.

The Chairman expressed a sense of bewilderment regarding the timing and motivation behind the attempted ouster. He noted that the specific grievances of the Gargari Ward executives had not been formally communicated to him through the proper channels. This lack of transparency, he argued, suggests that the move might be driven by hidden interests rather than genuine administrative concerns or disciplinary infractions.

In a stern warning to his detractors, Dungurawa shifted his tone from defense to deterrence. He cautioned those involved in the purported expulsion that their actions carry significant legal risks. By declaring his expulsion null and void, he effectively labeled any individual attempting to assume his duties or represent themselves as the new party leadership as an impostor.

The threat of litigation looms large over the dissenters. Dungurawa explicitly stated that he would not hesitate to involve law enforcement agencies to address what he termed “impersonation.” He vowed to ensure the arrest of anyone found parading themselves as a party leader without the requisite constitutional backing. This aggressive legal stance indicates that the chairman is prepared for a protracted battle to maintain his grip on power.

This internal rift highlights the ongoing challenges of managing a dominant political party in a state as strategically important as Kano. The NNPP, which holds the governorship in the state, relies heavily on a unified front to implement its agenda. Any perception of cracks in the leadership foundation could be exploited by opposition parties looking to regain a foothold in the region.

The standoff between the state chairman and the local ward executives reflects a broader tension often seen in Nigerian party politics, where grassroots structures occasionally clash with state and national hierarchies. Whether this move by the Gargari Ward was a localized grievance or a proxy battle for a larger internal struggle remains to be seen. For now, Dungurawa is standing his ground, relying on his national status to weather the local storm.

As the situation develops, the eyes of political observers will be on the NNPP national leadership to see if they will intervene to mediate the dispute or allow the state chapter to resolve the matter through its internal disciplinary committees. Until a formal resolution is reached, Dungurawa maintains that his office is secure and his mandate remains intact.

The coming days will likely determine whether the threat of arrest and legal action will silence the opposition or if the ward executives will find higher-level support for their resolution. For the moment, Hashimu Dungurawa remains at the helm, signaling that the path to removing a state chairman in Kano is far more legally and politically complex than a single ward resolution might suggest.