One of the incidents cited as proof of Kawu’s disloyalty to NNPP was the presence of top APC officials at his daughter’s wedding and at the commissioning of projects in Sumaila Local Government Area.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has taken disciplinary action against Senator Kawu Sumaila (Kano south) and three other members, suspending them for alleged anti-party activities and ties with Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement, made on Sunday by the NNPP leadership in Kano State, also affected Ali Madakin Gini, Sani Abdullahi Rogo, and Kabiru Alhassan Rurum. Addressing journalists at a press conference in Kano state, Hashimu Dungurawa, the NNPP’s Kano State Chairman, accused the suspended members of engaging in activities that contradict the party’s core principles.
He said: “These individuals were elected into the National Assembly under the NNPP platform, yet they have chosen to betray the trust placed in them by the party.
“Their actions contradict the principles and tenets of our party, and as such, we are left with no choice but to take disciplinary action.”
Allegations of disloyalty
Sen. Kawu was singled out for alleged disloyalty, with Dungurawa highlighting that the NNPP granted him and the others complimentary tickets during the last elections. Despite this, they allegedly aligned themselves with opposition figures.
One of the incidents cited as proof of his disloyalty was the presence of top APC officials at his daughter’s wedding and at the commissioning of projects in Sumaila Local Government Area. According to Dungurawa, these actions were a clear indication of where Kawu’s loyalty lies.
“What is even more shocking is that key members of the APC were invited to Senator Kawu’s daughter’s wedding, as well as the commissioning of some of his projects in Sumaila Local Government Area. This is a clear indication of where his loyalty lies,” Dungurawa lamented.
Possibility of reconciliation
Despite the suspension, Dungurawa hinted at the possibility of reinstating the affected members, should they show remorse.
He said, “If they realise their errors and come back to the party with genuine remorse, we will consider reinstating them.”
As of now, neither Sen. Kawu nor the other suspended members have publicly responded to the allegations or the party’s decision.
It is important to note that the suspension of Sen. Kawu and three others by the NNPP highlights deep-seated negativity, factionalism, and political rivalry among parties in Nigeria. Several key themes emerge from this development:
1. Growing political intolerance
The NNPP’s decision to suspend its own members over alleged associations with an opposition figure suggests a zero-tolerance approach to political diversity within the party. While discipline is necessary for party cohesion, such actions also reflect a broader trend in Nigerian politics—where cross-party engagements are often viewed as betrayal rather than constructive dialogue.
2. Internal party divisions and power struggles
The suspension signals internal tensions within the NNPP, as it struggles to maintain loyalty among its elected officials. This issue is not unique to the NNPP—many political parties in Nigeria face similar challenges, where internal dissent or alliances with rival figures lead to expulsions, suspensions, or defections.
It also raises questions about whether the party is experiencing leadership struggles or trying to consolidate control ahead of upcoming elections. The fact that Sumaila and the others were key figures in the NNPP’s electoral success makes this suspension even more significant, as it suggests a deeper divide within the party ranks.
3. Weaponisation of allegiances
The presence of APC officials at Sen. Kawu’s events was cited as evidence of his alleged disloyalty. This implies that mere association with political rivals can be seen as grounds for punitive action, reinforcing the idea that Nigerian politics is driven more by personal allegiances than issue-based politics.
In more developed democracies, cross-party relationships are often encouraged to foster bipartisanship and national unity, but in Nigeria, they are frequently met with suspicion and accusations of betrayal.
4. Lack of political maturity and inclusion
A more mature political system would allow for ideological flexibility and constructive engagement between different parties. However, in Nigeria, political parties often operate like exclusive clubs, where any interaction with the opposition is seen as a threat to the party’s survival.
Rather than engaging in issue-based politics and governance, parties spend a significant amount of time dealing with loyalty tests and internal purges—a sign of political fragility rather than strength.
5. Implications for political stability and governance
The suspension may trigger defections, as those suspended (or their supporters) could switch allegiance to the APC or another party, weakening the NNPP’s influence, particularly in Kano State, where it currently holds power.
This also discourages cross-party collaboration, which is essential for policy-making and governance, as lawmakers may now fear being penalized for engaging with the opposition. This pattern of internal purges and political witch-hunts creates instability, as parties become more focused on consolidating control than addressing governance issues.
