Lawmaker Exposes True Cause Of Tensions Between Yusuf and Kwankwaso

Speculation surrounding the conflict suggests a strained relationship between Kwankwaso, leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the Kwankwasiyya Movement, and Governor Yusuf, who rose to power on the same party’s platform.

Aliyu Sani Madakin-Gini, the representative for Dala Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, addressed the issue, claiming the discord stems from disputes over a drug contract and a state-funded scholarship program.

Madakin-Gini, once a close ally of Kwankwaso, had recently distanced himself from the Kwankwasiyya movement and aligned with a different faction, leading to his suspension by his ward executives.

Despite still being a member of the NNPP, Madakin-Gini shared insights into Kwankwaso’s demand for absolute loyalty and control over all 44 local government areas in Kano. He mentioned Kwankwaso’s preference for identifying the most loyal members when convening and criticized Governor Yusuf for his involvement in the investigations regarding the drug contract.

The drug contract, which allegedly led to the arrest of Kwankwaso’s nephew by the state’s Anti-Corruption Commission, has been a source of major contention. The governor denied any knowledge of the contract’s approval process but ordered an investigation into its alleged fraudulent activities.

Madakin-Gini also highlighted Kwankwaso’s dissatisfaction with Governor Yusuf’s decision to probe irregularities in a scholarship program. While 1,001 beneficiaries were initially approved, only 400 received sponsorship, fueling Kwankwaso’s grievances.

The tensions also stemmed from Yusuf’s refusal to dismiss Baffa Bichi, the Secretary to the State Government, and Muhammad Diggol, the Commissioner for Transport—both of whom were linked to a faction supporting Yusuf’s independence from Kwankwaso’s influence.

Madakin-Gini accused Kwankwaso of treating Yusuf like a puppet and warned that the governor’s actions were pushing the situation to a breaking point. He claimed to have advised another governor to avoid entangling himself in the Kwankwaso issue, citing Kwankwaso’s reluctance to engage in meaningful dialogue.

At the time of this report, Kwankwaso had not responded to these claims.