PDP kicks as Kano chapter suspends Kwankwaso ‘for disrupting congress’

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano has suspended Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of the state, for allegedly disrupting the party’s recent north-west congress.

H. A. Tsanyawa, secretary of the faction, said Kwankwaso has been suspended for three months for allegedly leading thugs to disrupt the congress held on April 10.

However, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP national spokesman, dismissed the suspension which he described as “mere fabrication.”

“The PDP strongly cautions that it will not accept such reckless adventure by such misguided individuals, which its notes, is capable of destabilizing our party and bringing it to public disrepute,” he said in a statement.

The PDP zonal congress held in Kaduna had been marred by violence after Kwankwaso’s supporters clashed with those loyal to Aminu Tambuwal, Sokoto state governor.

In a letter dated April 16 and addressed to Kwankwaso, Tsanyawa said the party’s executives decided to suspend him and his supporters during their meeting on Thursday.

He said the former governor has 48 hours to respond to the allegations against him including: “That you led your supporters into a shameful and embarrassing act of thuggery of disrupting the democratic process during the PDP Northwest Zonal Convention of April, 10th, 2021 …

‘’That you are also charged with abusing our two serving governors and major Northwest stakeholders present during the convention …

“That your supporters have destroyed the election materials on your directive and presence.”

The PDP in Kano has been battling an internal crisis with two factional executives; one group loyal to Kwankwaso while the other has the backing of Aminu Wali, a former foreign affairs minister.

Elsewhere, the party is yet to bring its house under one umbrella in the south-west where a leadership tussle has pitched members against one another.