The former Presidential Candidate of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, announced his resignation from the party on Sunday.

In a Sunday statement personally signed by him, Kwankwaso cited the current trajectory of the nation’s political landscape as a reason for what he described as “strategic realignment.”

Kwankwaso wrote, “I wish to formally announce my resignation from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) with immediate effect.

“I seize this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the honour and privilege of serving as the Party’s National Leader and its Presidential Candidate in the 2023 General Elections. As a committed and bona fide member of the party, this was not an easy decision to make.

“However, considering the current trajectory of the nation’s political landscape, which calls for strategic realignment, I have found it necessary to identify with another political platform that offers the best opportunity to effectively change the nation.”

He added, “I extend my deepest appreciation to the National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed and the entire National Working Committee for their steadfast support throughout my time.

“I also thank the Board of Trustees, the National Executive Committee, and all levels of leadership across the party — from the ward to the state level, as well as the legacy members of the party and all followers of the Kwankwasiyya Movement for their dedication and commitment to our shared mission. We shall continue to collaborate and work together towards charting a better and more prosperous future for our dear nation.”

Kwankwaso’s defection from the NNPP came a day after meeting former President Atiku Abubakar at his Abuja residence on Saturday, as the latter disclosed that the meeting borders around discussion on the state of the nation.

In an earlier announcement on Saturday, the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Kwankwaso’s political loyalist, disclosed that the former Governor is set to defect and formally register as a member of the ADC on Monday.

The Kano State political alignment had taken a different shape in the last few months, with the Governor of the state, Abba Yusuf, a staunch member of the Kwankwasiyya movement, decamping from the NNPP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and declaring support for President Bola Tinubu against his political principal, Kwankwaso.

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In a related development, the Kano Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam, resigned from his position, with political analysts citing the ongoing loyalty tussle within the state’s political leadership as the reason for his resignation.

According to a statement last Friday, Abdussalam disclosed that the decision was taken in the interest of the people and to ensure stability in governance in Kano State.

The Kano State House of Assembly had earlier initiated an impeachment process against Abdussalam.

The deputy governor was served a notice of impeachment, which was issued over allegations of breach of trust, abuse of office, and gross misconduct.

No fewer than 38 members of the Assembly signed the notice, which was presented during plenary in compliance with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

The section outlines the procedure for the removal of a deputy governor from office.

The development comes amid political realignments in the state, following the defection of Governor Abba Yusuf from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while the Deputy Governor remained in the NNPP.

Public speculation suggests that the House of Assembly initiated the impeachment due to the Deputy Governor’s unwavering loyalty to the old political structure and Kwankwaso, the state’s perceived political godfather.

However, the Kwankwasiyya Movement clarified that the resignation is not connected to recent allegations of misappropriation and abuse of office raised by the Kano State House of Assembly.

The statement stressed that Abdussalam is expected to focus on the activities of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.