Aliyu Sani Madakin-Gini, the House of Representatives member representing Dala Federal Constituency, has alleged that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s perceived rift with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso stemmed from controversies over a drugs contract and a state-funded scholarship scheme.
Madakin-Gini, a former close ally of Kwankwaso—the leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the Kwankwasiyya Movement—recently announced his departure from the movement, reflecting growing divisions within the NNPP in Kano. While Madakin-Gini remains in the NNPP, he has shifted his loyalty to another faction, leading his ward executives to announce his suspension on Tuesday.
In a video addressing his supporters, Madakin Gini outlined Kwankwaso’s expectations of loyalty, stating, “What the leader of Kwankwasiyya wants is total obedience. In all 44 local government areas, he desires sole authority. When we all gather, he seeks to see who is most loyal to him.”
According to Madakin-Gini, Governor Yusuf’s perceived ‘offences’ include his position on the investigations into drug contracts in the state, an issue Kwankwaso reportedly considered more serious than any actions taken by the former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
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The drug contract saga previously led to the detention of Kwankwaso’s nephew by the state’s Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission. The nephew had reportedly secured the contract across the state’s 44 local government areas. The governor had reportedly said he was not aware of how the contract was awarded and directed the anti-corruption commission to investigate the alleged fraud in the scheme.
Madakin-Gini also cited Kwankwaso’s alleged dissatisfaction with Governor Yusuf’s decision to direct an investigation into discrepancies in a scholarship programme. According to him, it was discovered that only 400 beneficiaries were sponsored instead of the 1,001 initially approved by the governor.
“Now, he has added more grievances for refusing to sack Baffa Bichi, the Secretary to the State Government, and Muhammad Diggol, the Commissioner for Transport,” Madakin Gini said. Both officials were allegedly involved in a splinter group supporting Yusuf’s autonomy from Kwankwaso’s influence, leading to their suspension by party leaders.
“Abba was brought in as a puppet,” Madakin Gini claimed. “If what Abba has done is not enough for them, the only thing left is for him to lie down and be slaughtered.”
He added that he had advised a governor, a friend of his, against intervening in the matter with Kwankwaso, as he believed Kwankwaso would not be receptive.
Efforts to get a response from Kwankwaso were unsuccessful. His aide, Ibrahim Adam, did not respond to calls or messages at the time of this report, though he had previously denied any discord, pointing to recent joint appearances of the two leaders.
Governor Yusuf’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, was also unavailable for comment. He had ealier said that the governor would be addressing these issues in an upcoming local radio broadcast.
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