The chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State, Hashimu Sulaiman Dungurawa, has claimed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) lacks the political strength to win the 2027 general elections unless it relies on the influence of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Speaking during a press briefing at the NNPP state secretariat, Dungurawa said the APC had lost focus both at the state and national levels, arguing that this was why its leaders “keep reaching out” to Kwankwaso.
“These APC people are weak and confused,” he said. “They know without Kwankwaso, they will not win in 2027. They keep telling the public they are in talks with him. They need him. But he is only concerned about the welfare of Nigerians.”
He maintained that reconciliation in politics was always possible, but insisted that Kwankwaso’s recent meetings with political actors were purely coincidental.
He stressed that the former Kano governor was not engaged in any alliance talks, dismissing claims of negotiations with the APC.
Responding to a question on why Kwankwaso secured only about 500,000 votes in Kano during the 2023 presidential election despite claims of widespread popularity, Dungurawa argued that the NNPP was barely seven months old at the time.
According to him, the party’s logo was poorly printed on the ballot paper, voter awareness was low, and the NNPP was just emerging, yet the party won seats in Kano, Jigawa, Taraba, and Bauchi.
He insisted that the redesigned party logo, combined with its rising acceptance, would make 2027 a different battle entirely.
Dungurawa said the party remained internally strong ahead of its upcoming congresses, noting that most executives were likely to retain their seats under the NNPP constitution.
“Our constitution allows executives to serve two terms unless they defect, die, or face disciplinary issues. We believe in continuity and loyalty,” he said.
He also announced that by-elections would be conducted next month to replace three councillors who died in Garin, Dala and Doguwa LGAs.
The NNPP chairman praised Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s 2026 budget proposal, saying its emphasis on education and agriculture was unprecedented. He also lauded what he described as visible infrastructural development across the state.
In contrast, he criticised former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, accusing his administration of neglecting education, failing to pay scholarships and abandoning pensioners.
Defections Don’t Affect Us – Dungurawa
On the recent defections from the NNPP, Dungurawa said only one federal lawmaker voluntarily left, insisting that others had already been suspended before they moved.
He argued that the party was not worried about their departure.
“NNPP is like a royal suite; some may go to a standard room, but they will eventually realise the difference,” he said.
He also dismissed reports that former civil servant Jamilu Kabir Bichi had dumped the party, saying, “He was never NNPP in the first place.”
Dungurawa urged party members to remain united and prepare for what he described as a stronger, more strategic NNPP ahead of the 2027 elections.
He expressed confidence that with a rebranded structure and increased national acceptance, the party would pose a formidable challenge in the next general election.
