Another political showdown is about to erupt within Kano State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), as the state chairman, Usaini Mai-Riga, has openly rejected alleged moves to hand over the party’s leadership structure to former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Mr Kwankwaso joined the NDC on Sunday alongside Mr. Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party.
While speaking during an interview with Premier Radio in Kano, Riga said two separate meetings aimed at integrating Kwankwaso into the party failed over disagreements on leadership arrangements.
“He wants us to hand over the entire party to him, despite the sacrifices we made when the party had little or no presence,” Mai Riga said.
The chairman vowed to resist any attempt to displace the current executives.
“This will not happen. We will pursue all lawful avenues to ensure that the party structure is not hijacked,” he added.
Speaking further, Riga alleged that the NDC’s national leadership directed the suspension of the planned state congress in Kano to facilitate Kwankwaso’s takeover, despite similar congresses proceeding in other states.
“We were instructed not to hold the congress because of plans to hand over the structure. That is why I am not at the venue today. We will not allow the rights of our members to be trampled upon,” he said.
Kwankwaso arrived in Kano on Monday and is expected to meet with close allies to deliberate on electoral strategies and party congresses ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, Mai Riga noted that the former governor has yet to formally engage with the state executive committee, delegating discussions to former deputy governor, Aminu Abdussalam.
But the spokesperson of Kwankwasiyya Movement, Mansur Kurugu, said Kwankwaso or his followers are not in NDC to take over structures, but to grow the party for the betterment of all.
He said: “There is no any issue worth talking about here, the national leadership of the party is the one who halted the congress and it will soon take place, nobody is taking over anything from anyone.
“Of course you don’t expect somebody like Kwankwaso to join any party and you say he wont have a say in it in his state. But the Chairman should calm down, state congress will be held and everyone will get what he deserves.”
