Senator Masud El-Jibril Doguwa, Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State and leader of the “basket and full of fruits” faction, says the party will soon hold an emergency meeting following the recent defection of several top members to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
On Thursday, notable NNPP figures left the party for the APC, including Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila (Kano South), Kabiru Alhassan Rurum (former Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly), Sha’aban Sharada (Kano Municipal), and Aliyu Gini (Dala), among others.
Speaking with PUNCH on Friday, Doguwa said the defections were expected, blaming the Kwankwasiyya faction for causing division within the party.
“When I became chairman, I tried to unite everyone, but the Kwankwasiyya group refused to accept my leadership, making it hard to move forward,” he said.
He accused the Kwankwasiyya camp of marginalizing members and creating inequality, which he claimed pushed many out of the party. Despite the crisis, Doguwa said his faction will soon meet to decide on the next steps.
He denied claims that his group is working for the APC, insisting the NNPP remains an independent and credible party.
Doguwa also said his faction is the officially recognized leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and dismissed the Kwankwaso-led group as just “individuals.”
Still, he said his faction is open to reconciliation and may invite the Kwankwaso group to work together in rebuilding the party.
Looking ahead to 2027, Doguwa mentioned that talks are ongoing for possible new political alliances and that the NNPP will continue growing its membership.
Reacting to the defections, he said, “Defections are normal in politics—even top politicians have changed parties over the years.”