Chairman of the Kano State chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Hashim Suleiman Dungurawa, says the party’s rising influence is rooted in its educational legacy and Governor Abba Yusuf’s ongoing infrastructure reforms. In this interview with LONGTONG IBRAHIM, he cites the establishment of multiple universities, youth-driven support for the party’s education-focused identity and major projects, dismissing any political alignment with the APC.
As chairman of the NNPP in Kano State, what key strategies has the party adopted to strengthen grassroots support and maintain its influence in the state?
Alhamdulillah. You see, the NNPP came on board barely seven or eight months before the 2023 general election. We tried our best to convince our people—especially our supporters, by reminding them of the good work we did when we were in government between 1999 and 2003, and from 2011 to 2015.
We delivered the dividends of democracy to the majority of Kano people. The people of Kano benefited greatly under the administration of our leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, when he was governor. In 1999, we introduced a brand-new university—Kano University of Science and Technology(KUST), Wudil—mainly for science courses. It is functioning well. When we returned in 2011, we established another university, Yusuf Maitama Sule University, located here in the metropolitan area. It is also doing well. You are living witnesses to how we expanded access to education. Before then, there was only one university in Kano—Bayero University.
But today, because of our vision and policies, Kano now has more than 20 universities, both public and private. Apart from Bayero University, we have KUST Wudil and Yusuf Maitama Sule University under the state government. The Federal University of Agriculture is in Bagauda. Then we have several private universities like Skyline University, Capital City University, Maryam Abacha University, Kano University of Education (formerly MCE Kano), Al-Qalam University in Sumaila, and Azman University, among others.
Kano people benefited from the Kwankwasiyya administration, and I am sure that is why the youth are identifying with the NNPP, because they know our leader is dedicated to uplifting people.
Within just seven to eight months, we defeated political parties that had existed for decades. The NNPP is strong because its foundation was laid by a strong leader—Kwankwasiyya.
Some say your background in the PDP and APC helped the NNPP rise quickly. What is your view?
Yes, we worked under the PDP in 1999 and under the APC in 2015. But they undermined us. They didn’t value our contribution. They thought we could not survive without them. We told them they were wrong—and the 2023 election proved it.
Are there new strategies to further strengthen grassroots support?
We are on the ground, and we are doing everything possible to maintain and increase our support. What attracts many people, especially the youth, is our party’s identity—our logo and our slogan. Our logo promotes books and the academic path. Every student wants to wear an academic cap during matriculation or graduation. Every student is happy to be close to a book because that is where knowledge comes from.
Our slogan is “Education for All.” We want to promote and invest in education. That is why our people and their parents have begun to understand that NNPP is the right place to be.
How would you assess the performance of Governor Abba Yusuf’s administration so far, and how is the party supporting him in delivering his campaign promises?
This is the first time we are seeing a transparent governor delivering massive infrastructure. Almost every corner of Kano is a construction site. Roads are being reconstructed and asphalted across the state. Today, almost all major roads have traffic lights. Kano now has the highest number of functional streetlights—over 273 roads are lit. At night, Kano looks like Dubai. In education, we are ranking number one. Recently, NECO announced that Kano took first position in its examinations—not NNPP saying it, NECO said it. We are now ahead of states that established formal education 100 years before us. Look at the awards Governor Abba has received—Best Governor in Administration, Best in Infrastructure, etc. The transformation in Kano is visible. Road signage, gantries, demarcations—everything is now modern.
In education, the governor sponsored 1,001 students to study abroad in over 10 countries. He settled NECO, WAEC, and JAMB fees. He paid pensioners and slashed tertiary institution fees by 50%.
He recently constructed four-classroom blocks in all the 44 local government areas, and again last week, he distributed two-classroom blocks with offices to all LGAs. He is investing heavily in education, infrastructure, agriculture, and healthcare. We are proud of him.
What do you have to say about internal party unity?
Every party faces internal crisis, but in the NNPP we have one ideology, one leader, one mentor, and one house. Anyone who does not believe in our ideology will not stay with us. We trust our leader completely.
Is the NNPP doing enough to encourage youth participation in politics and governance?
Leadership is not easy, but our target is the youth. That is why we built over 2,300 classrooms and distributed writing materials, textbooks, uniforms, sandals, school bags, teachers’ registers, chalk, markers, and duty books—just like in the 1980s. Teachers are paid before the 25th of every month. Pensioners are paid. Students are supported. This is how you encourage future leaders.
How do you view the relationship between the NNPP and opposition parties in Kano, especially the APC? Is there room for cooperation?
Honestly, our relationship with them is not cordial. They should emulate us. Their past actions were about grabbing people’s land, money, and opportunities. Are you not a witness? A whole university faculty was converted into a shopping mall. Even mosques and graveyards were not spared.
There is no political relationship between NNPP and APC in Kano. People are defecting to NNPP, but those benefiting from them will remain. By 2027, we will defeat them again, inshaAllah.
With NNPP’s growing prominence beyond Kano, how is the state chapter contributing to strengthening the national structure?
People think NNPP is only strong in Kano, but they are wrong. We won Taraba State before the election was taken from us. We have members in Bauchi, Taraba, Niger, Jigawa, and several others. We have offices and vehicles in all states.
Just last week, I returned from Abuja after meeting with other state chairmen to strengthen the party nationwide. Many states want to be like Kano, because we are leading by example.
What is your long-term vision for the NNPP in Kano State, and what message do you have for party members as elections approach?
First, we thank our leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for his steadfastness. We also thank Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for doing what is right for Kano and proving that NNPP is better than other parties.
Look at their logos—some have a broom that can injure you; some have an umbrella that wind can blow away; some have a hand; some have one eye. But our own symbol is a book—the foundation of every constitution and every institution. The academic cap shows we value knowledge.
We appeal to Nigerians to be objective and support what is right. Let them join this new party—New Nigeria People’s Party. We are here to fight illiteracy and promote education. Without education, you cannot go anywhere.
So, we call on the good people of Kano and Nigeria to join NNPP massively so that in 2027, the NNPP will be in Aso Rock, inshaAllah.
