Kwankwaso Denies Plans to Join APC, Reaffirms Commitment to NNPP

 Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and former Kano State governor, has firmly dismissed rumors of his impending defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a detailed statement issued on May 17, 2025, from his Kano residence, the 68-year-old politician described the speculation as “baseless propaganda” orchestrated by political rivals to destabilize his party and mislead his supporters. The clarification came amid intense political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 elections.

The defection rumors surfaced in early May, fueled by reports of a closed-door meeting between Kwankwaso and APC national leaders in Abuja. Sources claimed the APC was courting Kwankwaso to bolster its northern base, offering him a prominent role in exchange for merging the NNPP’s structure into the ruling party. The speculation gained traction due to Kwankwaso’s past political shifts—he left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC in 2014 before returning to the PDP in 2018 and later joining the NNPP in 2022. His influence in Kano, where his Kwankwasiyya movement commands a loyal following, made the rumors plausible to some observers.

Addressing a gathering of NNPP stakeholders, Kwankwaso categorically denied any agreement with the APC, stating that his focus remains on strengthening the NNPP as a viable alternative to Nigeria’s dominant parties. He accused detractors of fabricating the story to sow discord among his supporters, particularly in Kano, where the NNPP controls the state government. Kwankwaso highlighted his party’s achievements, including infrastructure projects under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, as evidence of the NNPP’s commitment to grassroots development. He also pointed to the party’s growing membership in states like Bauchi and Taraba, dismissing claims that the NNPP was weakening.

The politician, a former defense minister, emphasized his ideological differences with the APC, criticizing its economic policies and handling of security challenges like banditry in the North-West. He reiterated his 2023 campaign promises, including free education and healthcare reforms, which he argued were incompatible with the APC’s agenda. Kwankwaso also addressed his meeting in Abuja, clarifying that it was a courtesy visit to discuss national unity, not a defection deal. He urged his supporters to focus on mobilizing voters for the NNPP’s local government elections in October 2025, a critical test of the party’s strength.

Political analysts view Kwankwaso’s statement as a strategic move to consolidate his base and counter APC’s efforts to weaken opposition parties. His influence in Kano, where he governed from 1999 to 2003 and 2011 to 2015, remains a key factor in northern politics, with the Kwankwasiyya movement boasting over two million registered members. However, some observers noted that Kwankwaso’s history of party switches could fuel skepticism among voters, making his loyalty to the NNPP a focal point in future campaigns. For now, Kwankwaso’s rejection of the APC rumors signals his intent to carve a distinct path, with the NNPP positioning itself as a third force in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.