The internal crisis rocking the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State, has taken a new turn, as Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, the Deputy Governor, appeared to openly align himself with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the acclimated party’s national leader.
Gwarzo was sighted at the Miller Road residence of Kwankwaso in Kano, on Wednesday, where the former two-term governor presided over a screening exercise for loyalists of the Kwankwasiyya political movement.
His presence at the gathering has been widely interpreted by political observers as a clear signal of support for Kwankwaso amid the deepening divisions within the NNPP in the state.
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The development comes at a time of heightened political tension, fueled by speculation over the possible defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Gwarzo’s appearance at Miller Road is therefore seen as a significant political statement, particularly given his strategic position as deputy governor.
Gwarzo, who recently returned from the lesser pilgrimage (Umrah) in Saudi Arabia, kneeling to pay homage to Kwankwaso at the residence. The gesture further reinforced perceptions of his loyalty to the Kwankwasiyya political structure, which remains a dominant force in Kano politics.
While Gwarzo was away on his brief vacation, the internal rift within the NNPP reportedly worsened, sparking intense speculation about where the deputy governor would eventually pitch his tent within the party’s fractured leadership. His latest move appears to have put an end to the uncertainty surrounding his political direction.
Sources inside the Kano Government House, said that Gwarzo’s alignment could significantly alter the balance of power in Kano’s political landscape, especially as the NNPP grapples with leadership disputes and questions about its future cohesion in the state.
Efforts to obtain official comments on the development were unsuccessful, as Gwarzo’s media aides and close associates declined to respond to inquiries as of the time of filing this report.
The NNPP rose to prominence in Kano State on the back of the Kwankwasiyya movement, led by Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, which has maintained a strong grassroots following for over a decade. However, since the party assumed power in the state in 2023, internal disagreements over leadership, loyalty, and control of party structures have persisted.
These tensions have been exacerbated by rumours of possible defections and competing political interests within the party’s hierarchy. The apparent alignment of the deputy governor with Kwankwaso is seen as a critical moment in the ongoing struggle for influence within the NNPP, with potential implications for governance and future electoral contests in Kano State.
