By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, has accused Kano State Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf of writing to the Federal Government in an attempt to prevent the party’s national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, from entering the state.
Galadima made the allegation during an interview with DCL Hausa on Thursday, responding to reports that the United States Congress is considering a visa ban on Kwankwaso over alleged involvement in the persecution of Christians.
“We are aware that the Kano State Government has written to the Federal Government trying to prevent Kwankwaso from coming into Kano. But we are awaiting the response of the Federal Government,” Galadima said.
“Do they want to stop him from coming to the state the way they have done in the past? Let’s see. Unless there are no judges in the country, we will challenge anybody. Or do they want to kill him?” he added.
Galadima also dismissed the reported U.S. visa threat as baseless and politically driven, alleging that it was part of a broader plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration against the former governor.
“This threat by the U.S. Congress didn’t come to us as a surprise. Even though this isn’t what we expected, many followers had reliably informed us of unpleasant plans against him by the APC-led government if he failed to yield to mounting pressure to join the ruling party,” he said.
Describing Kwankwaso as a political “warrior,” Galadima said the former governor remained undeterred.
“The Kwankwaso that I know is a warrior — fearless and a one-man battalion. He has vowed not to join the APC or any other party except certain conditions in the public interest are met. These are not in his personal interest but things that will alleviate the suffering of the common man,” he stated.
He further alleged that government officials had threatened Kwankwaso with what he described as “Malami treatment” — an apparent reference to legal or security action — as well as arrest and public humiliation on trumped-up charges.
“Even without saying anything, words will be fabricated and attributed to us, yet we remain unshaken,” Galadima added.
On speculation about possible political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, Galadima said the NNPP would take decisions in the best interest of its supporters and the Nigerian people.
