Kano Court Voids NNPP Leadership Dissolution, Affirms Abiya as Chairman, Bars Dungurawa

A High Court in Kano has nullified the dissolution of the state leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), affirming Abdullahi Abiya as the legitimate Chairman of the party in Kano State.

Delivering judgment, Justice Nasiru Saminu ruled that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the NNPP acted beyond the powers granted by the party’s constitution when it dissolved the Kano State executive structure. The court held that the action was carried out without the involvement of the National Executive Committee (NEC), rendering the decision unconstitutional and void.

Abiya had approached the court to challenge the January 2, 2026 dissolution, arguing that it was executed without due process and violated his right to fair hearing. He also sought an order restraining Hashimu Suleiman Dungurawa from parading himself as the party’s chairman in Kano.

In his ruling, Justice Saminu set aside the dissolution and granted a perpetual injunction restraining the NNPP, its agents, and privies from interfering with the tenure of duly elected executives at the state, local government, and ward levels in Kano.

The court further upheld the expulsion of Dungurawa from the NNPP, declaring it valid and in line with the party’s constitution. The expulsion, which originated from his Gargari ward and was ratified by the Dawakin-Tofa Local Government and the state executive council, was affirmed as lawful.

Justice Saminu also barred Dungurawa and his associates from presenting him as the Kano State chairman or performing any functions attached to the office.

The court emphasized that the NWC’s reliance on constitutional provisions to justify a blanket dissolution without due consultation amounted to an abuse of power. It further held that the failure to provide notice or an opportunity to be heard violated the constitutional right to fair hearing.

All reliefs sought by Abiya were granted, including declarations that actions taken based on the dissolution were invalid and without legal effect.

The court also awarded costs of ₦500,000 against Dungurawa and the NNPP’s National Working Committee.