The Kano State chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has stated that due process must be followed before Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf leaves the party.
Speaking at a press conference in Kano on Tuesday, the State Chairman of the NNPP, Senator Elmasud Doguwa, stated that the governor is free to leave the party after he tenders a formal resignation in line with party rules.
Doguwa stated that the party has no intention of holding the governor against his will if he no longer wished to continue under its platform.
He, however, stated that Governor Yusuf must notify the legally recognised NNPP in writing before joining any other political party
The NNPP’s position comes amid growing speculation that Governor Yusuf, who was elected on the party’s platform in 2023, may be planning to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is still a bona fide member of the NNPP, the party with a basket of fruits as its logo.
“We respect him as our governor and as a member of our party. But if he chooses to leave, he has the legal right to do so. What we are insisting on is that he must formally tender his resignation to the party, which we are yet to receive,” Doguwa said.
He emphasised that political party membership is an individual choice, but added that such decisions must comply with established rules and regulations.
Doguwa further warned that ignoring the formal resignation process could have legal consequences in the future, particularly in view of ongoing litigations concerning the party’s leadership.
“With the judgments already delivered by three courts, if Governor Yusuf decides to defect without resigning through the bona fide NNPP, it may not go without consequences if the final judgment of the Supreme Court is eventually in our favour,” he said.
He maintained that the current NNPP leadership in Kano remains the legitimate authority based on existing court judgments, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to respect and enforce those rulings.
“We are calling on INEC to respect all the judgments delivered by the courts last year on this matter,” Doguwa added.