The Kano State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has responded to criticism over the recent expulsion of House of Representatives member, Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, representing the Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency, citing gross disloyalty and alleged political trading with the All Progressives Congress (APC) as reasons for the action.
Chairman of the NNPP in Kano, Alhaji Suleiman Hashimu Dungurawa, told journalists on Sunday that the party had no obligation to offer Kofa a fair hearing, as he had already demonstrated public disloyalty and declared his intention to leave the party.
“We took the drastic measure of sacking Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa from our noble party after realising that he was clearly seeking a job in Abuja using our platform,” Dungurawa stated.
Responding to claims made by Kofa that he was denied an opportunity to defend himself, Dungurawa dismissed the allegations, saying: “How can you give fair hearing to someone who said he was ready to join another party and also refused to support the flagbearer that gave him the platform to win his seat? Such a member has already made up his mind. Listening to him again is a waste of time.”
READ ALSO: Kwankwaso welcomes thousands of APC defectors to NNPP in Kano
Kofa had earlier compared the party’s move to a dictatorship, arguing that even under military rule, due process was followed through court martial proceedings. He accused the party of marginalising him and refusing to follow democratic procedures in his dismissal.
But the NNPP chairman fired back, citing an interview in which Kofa reportedly criticised the party’s presidential candidate and founder, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and publicly expressed readiness to leave the party.
“Did we need to wait until he disgraced us before acting? This is someone who openly kicked against the party leader, insulted our members, and disrespected our platform. In fact, our action was belated,” Dungurawa said.
Dungurawa was joined by the Special Adviser to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Political Matters, Sunusi Sirajo Madobi, during a solidarity event that saw hundreds of Kwankwasiyya Movement supporters from Kiru, Kofa, and Bebeji reaffirm their loyalty to the NNPP leadership.
On the controversy surrounding the identity of the party’s authentic faction, Dungurawa dismissed the group using the “fruits-and-vegetables” logo as illegitimate. He maintained that the faction bearing the “book-and-academic-regalia” logo is the legally recognised NNPP.
“The recent attendance of INEC officials at our national meeting in Abuja confirms that our faction remains the official and legitimate NNPP,” he declared.
