Supporters of Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Kano governor and national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), say they are weighing a defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to improve his chances of winning the presidency.
Speaking after a strategic meeting in Rogo Local Government Area, Abdullahi Rogo, director general of the protocol directorate at the Kano Government House, said the move was agreed by leaders and supporters of the Kwankwasiyya movement in the area.
The meeting, chaired by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Jibril Falgore, brought together the council chairman, councillors and party stakeholders.
Rogo said the group resolved to formally appeal to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Kwankwaso to lead them into the ruling APC, insisting the decision was driven by Kano’s development needs and Kwankwaso’s national ambition.
According to him, the supporters believe Kwankwaso’s long-held presidential aspiration would stand a stronger chance within the APC than outside it.
He stressed that the proposed defection does not mean abandoning the Kwankwasiyya movement, but rather repositioning it for greater political influence at the national level.
The development comes months after Kwankwaso publicly criticised politicians who defect after securing power, a stance that now contrasts with growing pressure from some of his supporters.
Kwankwaso has moved across major parties over the years, leaving the APC for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after falling out with his successor, Abdullahi Ganduje. He contested the PDP presidential primaries in 2019 before joining the NNPP in 2022, with his loyal supporters largely following him through each transition.
