The Kano State chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has suspended Senator Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South Senatorial District, along with three other prominent members: Ali Madakin Gini, Sani Abdullahi Rogo, and Kabiru Alhassan Rurum. State Chairman Hashimu Suleiman Dungurawa announced the suspensions during a press briefing in Kano, citing alleged anti-party activities as the reason.
This action follows recent events where Senator Sumaila hosted key members of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), including Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, at his daughter's wedding and a project commissioning at his university in Sumaila. Dungurawa expressed concern that these events were attended primarily by individuals who had previously opposed Sumaila, while NNPP members were notably absent.
In response to the allegations, Senator Sumaila has threatened legal action, demanding a retraction and public apology from Dungurawa. According to a letter from Sumaila's legal team, the accusations aired on Freedom Radio and circulated on social media claim that Sumaila engaged in corrupt practices, election manipulation, and political misconduct. The letter describes these allegations as "reckless" and "libelous," emphasizing that Sumaila has built a political career free from such accusations. The legal team has demanded a public retraction and apology from Dungurawa, to be published in two national newspapers within 24 hours, failing which legal action may ensue.
Despite the suspension, Dungurawa emphasized that the NNPP remains open to reconciliation. He stated that if the suspended members acknowledge their actions and seek forgiveness, the party may consider reinstating them.
