Founder of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, has clarified that Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf did not resign from the party itself, but rather from the Kwankwasiya Movement, led by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Aniebonam made the statement on Saturday, responding to reports of the governor’s resignation from the NNPP, which had circulated in the media.
According to him, the resignation letter from Yusuf was not addressed to the NNPP’s authentic National Working Committee under Dr. Major Agbo, nor to the state chairman or ward secretary, but instead to a member of the Kwankwasiya Movement in Diso-Chiranchi Ward, Gwale Local Government Area.
“The NNPP NWC do not recognise the Kwankwasiya movement ward chairman as chairman of the party,” he stressed.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalled that Governor Yusuf was reported to have resigned from the NNPP alongside 21 members of the State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and 44 local government chairmen across the state.
The resignation was announced on Friday through a statement by his spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa.
In his letter to the Diso-Chiranchi Ward Chairman, Yusuf formally communicated his decision to leave the party with effect from January 23, 2026.
“I write with a deep sense of gratitude to formally notify the leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party of my decision to resign my membership of the party, with effect from Friday, 23rd January 2026,” the governor stated.
However, Aniebonam insisted that the resignations are not recognized by the NNPP leadership.
“The NNPP lifted the governor’s suspension from its membership and directed that he take responsibility for its leadership, being the highest elected officer of the party.
“You will recall that the Abia State High Court and Federal Capital Territory High Court judgment directed INEC to recognise and handover NNPP administration to the Aniebonam-led board of trustees of the party.
“The Federal Capital Territory High Court equally issued an enrolment order, restraining INEC from dealing and transacting any business with the Kwankwasiya movement.
“The NNPP is a registered political party, whereas the Kwankwasiya movement was a pressure group in the party, and the Memorandum of Association with it was terminated, and the entire defunct NWC, led by Dr Ahmed Ajuji expelled for anti-party activities, after the 2023 presidential elections.
“Yusuf and others in the legislative arm of Kano State won elections under the platform of NNPP with the logo of basket of fruits and not Kwankwasiyya insignia of book and red colour.”
Aniebonam attributed delays by INEC in updating its records and uploading the Dr. Agbo Major and Mr. Oginni Olaposi-led NWC to administrative lapses.
“This has nothing to do with judgments of the courts, which must be obeyed. Accordingly, the ongoing judicial review at the FCT High Court is to compel INEC to update its records.
“The reasons for Yusuf’s resignation are noted but what is certain is that the NNPP has no issues with the governor and personal decisions he wishes to make.
“We blame the tragedy of members in Kano wanting to opt out on the high-handedness of Kwankwaso, which is highly regretted,” he added.
Aniebonam concluded by urging members in Kano State and across the country to remain calm and committed as the party sets its sights on more victories in the 2027 elections.
