NNPP Faction Rejects Abuja Convention, Calls It ‘Illegitimate’

A rival faction of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State has rejected the outcome of the party’s national convention held in Abuja, saying it cannot recognise the exercise as legal. Factional chairman Senator Mas’ud Doguwa described the convention as illegitimate and lacking due process.

Doguwa, a former senator, says his faction respects the rule of law and won’t endorse party activities defying court processes. “I don’t expect anybody to think I’ll recognise that convention as legal. As a former senator, I respect the rule of law, and we should all respect the courts. You can’t build a democratic party on illegality,” he said.

Doguwa claims the Abuja gathering wasn’t inclusive or nationally representative, excluding critical stakeholders. “That was not a national convention. What they held was just a Kano convention or, at best, a Kwankwasiyya meeting. They never contacted us. We weren’t invited,” he said.

He stresses genuine reconciliation must precede any credible convention or leadership arrangement, warning attempts to impose leadership without consensus would deepen divisions. “If there’s to be peace in NNPP, a sincere reconciliation committee must be set up. Until that’s done, whatever they’re doing won’t unite the party,” Doguwa added.

Doguwa dismisses speculation his faction backs an aspirant for 2027 elections, saying it’s too early for endorsements. “A lot of members are aggrieved. There’s no basis for endorsing a candidate now. It’s too early to support anyone for governor. For now, we’re not supporting anybody.”

The comments come amid tensions within NNPP following Saturday’s Abuja convention, where Ahmed Ajuji was re-elected National Chairman and Dipo Olayoku National Secretary, among others. Ajuji pledged the leadership would work to advance party objectives, focusing on winning 2027 elections. Doguwa insists without inclusion and respect for legal processes, the convention’s outcomes face resistance from aggrieved factions.