FORMER Kano State Governor and National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said he has not ruled out joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), but stressed that any such move must be preceded by firm assurances on the future of the Kano State government and the welfare of his political supporters.
News Point Nigeria reports that Kwankwaso made the remarks on Wednesday at his Miller Road residence in Kano during a meeting with leaders and supporters from Rano and Dawakin Tofa Local Government Areas, alongside members of various Kwankwasiyya groups who gathered to reaffirm their loyalty to him and the NNPP.
Addressing the gathering, the former governor said speculation about his possible defection to the ruling APC had been widely misunderstood, insisting that his position was conditional rather than outright rejection or acceptance.
“I didn’t say I won’t join APC, but we must first be clearly assured of the future of the Kano State government before we join the APC,” Kwankwaso said. “What will be the fate of our lawmakers and other supporters before we agree to defect?”
Kwankwaso recalled past political experiences in which he and his supporters played significant roles in forming governments at the national level, only to be marginalised afterwards, a development he said informed his cautious approach to any new political realignment.
“In the past, we joined and contributed to forming the government, but later we were abandoned. That was why we left the party,” he said. “Have they now changed their position toward us? Everyone knows the role we played at that time.”
He emphasised that loyalty and political sacrifice must be reciprocated with respect and inclusion, warning that history should not be allowed to repeat itself.
Kwankwaso further disclosed that, as of now, no concrete assurances had been given to guarantee the continuation of the political structure he leads or the protection of his supporters should a defection take place.
“Up till now, no one has given me a clear assurance that we will be allowed to retain our government and continue with our political structure,” he said. “I need to know where I stand.”
The meeting, News Point Nigeria gathered, was attended by several top NNPP figures and government officials, including the Kano State Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo; the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Yusuf Kofar Mata; the state chairman of the NNPP, Hon. Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa; and other senior party officials.
Those present openly reaffirmed their loyalty to Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya Movement, pledging continued support for the NNPP amid growing political speculation in Kano and beyond.
