The National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Ladipo Johnson, has expressed confidence that the party will overcome its internal challenges in Kano State, despite the dissolution of its party structures and speculation surrounding a possible defection by its only serving governor, Abba Yusuf.
The party’s National Leader and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Governor Yusuf have been locked in a political disagreement that has deepened divisions within the NNPP.
The situation has been further complicated by reports alleging that the governor may defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress, a move said to be strongly opposed by Kwankwaso.
Against this backdrop, the NNPP National Working Committee on Friday announced the dissolution of the party’s Kano State Executive, along with all local government and ward-level leadership structures.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE News on Saturday, Johnson said the decision was aimed at restoring order and ensuring adherence to the party’s constitution.
“Indeed, we believe and know that we will survive no matter what happens. Unfortunately, we’ve had issues in Kano State,” he said.
Johnson explained that the crisis was triggered by attempts by some party members to remove the NNPP state chairman through what he described as unconstitutional procedures.
“Some members of the party attempted to suspend or remove the state chairman, and the National Working Committee stepped in because our constitution does not allow an officer at the state level to be removed from his ward. It was an illegality, and we stated that,” he added.
He said the party’s national leadership concluded that dissolving all existing structures from the state to the ward level was the most effective way to stabilise the situation.
“The party felt that the best thing at the present moment was to dissolve all structures, all executive structures, from state level down to the ward level, and that we have done.
“Hopefully, in the coming week, caretaker committees will be put in place to run the affairs of the party in the state.”
Addressing concerns that the decision could hasten Governor Yusuf’s reported defection to the APC, Johnson dismissed the suggestion.
“I do not believe that anything that we did or could have done would accelerate the action of the governor,” he said.
He noted that conflicting statements had emerged following comments allegedly made by one of the governor’s aides regarding a possible defection.
“One of his most trusted aides, the Director-General of Protocol, came out to announce that the governor and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso were going to be moving to the APC, and Senator Kwankwaso made it clear that there had been no such discussions.”
Johnson said the NNPP took precautionary steps in response to these developments.
“The party found out that it had to take some sort of preventative, pre-emptive action just to ensure that we maintain some form of stability in the party in Kano State,” he explained.
While acknowledging internal disagreements, Johnson said the party leadership believed it was not the appropriate time for defections, particularly as discussions were ongoing at the national level.
“It is unfortunate that some people, who may be led by the governor, feel that they have to move at the present time, whilst the majority of the party believe that this is not the time.
“Negotiations are going on at the national level, and they have reached advanced stages with several political blocs.”
He added that political engagements and realignments were common as parties prepared for future elections.
“Naturally, no party at the moment is sitting idle. This is 2026. We’re going to have primaries this year, and election campaigns will begin later in the year. This is a time for parties to strengthen their bases, and the NNPP is no different.”
Johnson stressed that the national leadership would not allow any faction to operate outside the party’s central authority.
“If you have some part of the party going solo, not acting within the confines of the national leadership, then it is unfortunate,” he said.
“The national leadership has to make sure that it takes steps, which we took, to ensure that things remain as stable as possible.”
On the party’s strategy ahead of the 2027 elections, Johnson said no final position had been adopted regarding its leadership and presidential ambitions.
“We’re not saying that our leader must contest the presidency, neither are we saying he shouldn’t. It depends on what is on ground.”
He expressed optimism that ongoing consultations would strengthen the party ahead of the polls.
“If he is talking to people and groups, and the national leadership is also talking to different people and groups, and there’s a meeting very soon, end of January or February, then we will be at a safe place,” Johnson added.
