Two members of the House of Representatives from Kano State, both representing the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), have announced their exit from the Kwankwasiyya Movement led by former Kano State governor and NNPP leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Aliyu Sani Madakin Gini (Dala) and Alhassan Rurum (Rano/Kibiya/Bunkure) confirmed they would no longer align with the movement, signalling growing discontent within the NNPP ranks in Kano.
Rurum, a former speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, disclosed his departure from Kwankwasiyya in a brief phone conversation with Daily Trust.
While he did not provide specific reasons for his decision before a network issue ended the call, Rurum’s exit is widely seen as connected to his recent clashes with the NNPP-led Kano State government, particularly following the government’s controversial dissolution of the five emirates councils.
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The decision affected Rurum directly, as he holds the traditional title of Turakin Rano within the now-dissolved Rano Emirate. Further efforts to reach him for additional comments were unsuccessful.
On his part, Madakin Gini who is the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives publicly distanced himself from the movement while addressing his constituents in Kano on Sunday.
“From today, I, Aliyu Sani Madaki, no longer associate with the Kwankwasiyya Movement,” he stated emphatically.
“They have dismissed us, saying we lack support, but we are not afraid to stand alone. Let it be known—there is no one I cannot confront in the Kwankwasiyya Movement from top to bottom, if needed,” he added.
He criticised the movement, which is popularly recognised by its red-cap symbol, for its approach to loyalty and leadership. “This movement, if it is akin to a religion, we have paid our dues,” Madaki Gini said, adding, “But they say we are not useful, that we don’t have support. They should understand—there is no one within Kwankwasiyya that I cannot face head-on.”
In a direct message to his supporters, Madakin Gini urged them to abandon the signature red cap, calling it a symbol of submission he no longer endorses. “From now on, anyone who considers me their leader in politics should remove the red cap. Women should remove the red veil. We are done!”
Addressing Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, Madakin Gini expressed concern that the governor was under pressure within the movement.
He said, “My message to the governor is clear. They are trying to weaken him. I am urging him to stand firm; otherwise, he may be blindsided by those around him. I have insights into plans against him.”
Recall that a group had recently begun a movement to demand the governor free himself from the control of the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, who they alleged has been too involved in the day-to-day running of the government.
Madaki’ Gini further dismissed the red cap as “a symbol of control,” arguing that it represents the Kwankwasiyya leader’s belief that everything followers achieve is solely through him. “No one should feel obligated to wear it,” he concluded, asserting his independence from what he called the movement’s “deceptive” practices.
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