NNPP Alleges Ganduje’s Exit Was a Strategic Sack, Not Resignation

Kano, Nigeria – The political atmosphere in Kano State intensified over the weekend as the Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Hashimu Dungurawa, made a bold claim that former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, was forced out of office rather than voluntarily resigning, as officially reported. According to Dungurawa, Ganduje’s actions while in office undermined the very foundation of his own party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Addressing journalists in Kano, Dungurawa dismissed the widely circulated narrative that Ganduje resigned due to health issues. Instead, he insisted that the APC leadership, including President Tinubu, orchestrated Ganduje’s removal after concluding he was working against their collective interests.

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Forced Out, Not Stepped Down: NNPP Chair Defends Claim

Dungurawa elaborated that Ganduje’s approach while serving as APC Chairman effectively aligned with NNPP’s goals. “Politically, we are not happy with Ganduje’s resignation because he was doing exactly what we wanted,” he stated. “From his conduct, it was clear he was an enemy of Tinubu and the APC. Whether intentional or not, his leadership damaged the party’s cohesion and strength.”

He argued that Ganduje’s leadership failures were not mere happenstance. Instead, they constituted a pattern of decisions and political posturing that weakened the APC internally and externally. “Ganduje technically destroyed Tinubu,” Dungurawa asserted. “We believe Tinubu realized the sabotage and had no choice but to remove him.”

Further challenging the official reason cited for Ganduje’s resignation—health concerns—Dungurawa questioned the logic behind appointing someone allegedly too ill to serve in the first place. “If you’re between 50 and 70, medical treatment is part of your routine. So why accept such a vital role if health was truly an issue? The truth is, they discovered he was sabotaging the party from within.”

Dungurawa’s assertion suggests that Ganduje’s exit was not part of a graceful political transition but a necessary maneuver by APC leadership to save face and stabilize the party ahead of major electoral contests.

Corruption Allegations and Internal Party Pressure

The NNPP chairman also highlighted corruption allegations against Ganduje as a contributing factor in his abrupt departure. Dungurawa linked Ganduje’s removal to mounting internal pressure over unresolved corruption cases, particularly in relation to the upcoming Anambra election.

According to him, “Some candidates from Anambra went as far as presenting evidence of Ganduje’s corruption to Tinubu. That was the final straw. His removal was not about loyalty or age—it was about self-preservation for the APC. His corrupt practices, as usual, caught up with him.”

Dungurawa categorically dismissed the theory that Ganduje was pushed out to create space for NNPP leader and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to return to the APC fold. “That’s just political noise. If that were the plan, Ganduje would’ve resigned when Kwankwaso’s visit to the Villa was made public. But he didn’t.”

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On Kwankwaso’s future political direction, Dungurawa offered unwavering support. “I’m not Kwankwaso, but I am one of his loyalists. We’ve always maintained that wherever he goes, we go. Whether he joins another party or exits politics altogether, we’ll still be behind him.”

Dungurawa’s comments add yet another layer to the political drama in Nigeria, as questions swirl around Ganduje’s future, the APC’s internal stability, and whether Kwankwaso is planning a strategic move back to his former party. For now, the NNPP appears satisfied that Ganduje, once seen as a political threat, may have unwittingly advanced their cause before his controversial exit.

The political fallout from Ganduje’s ouster is expected to continue reshaping alliances and rivalries, especially as Nigeria heads into another critical election cycle.