Former governor of Kano state and national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has stated that any consideration of joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) must include unambiguous assurances about the future of the Kano State government and the welfare of party members.
Kwankwaso revealed this on Wednesday at his Miller Road mansion in Kano, following a meeting with leaders and followers from Rano and Dawakin Tofa Local Government Areas, as well as other Kwankwasiyya groups, who reaffirmed their loyalty to the party.
“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. What will be the fate of our lawmakers and other supporters before we agree to defect?” Kwankwaso said.
The former governor recounted other instances in which members of his faction helped to build governments only to be sidelined.
“In the past, we joined and contributed to forming the government, but later we were abandoned. That was why we left the party. Have they now changed their position toward us? Everyone knows the role we played at that time,” he added.
Kwankwaso emphasized that no assurances had yet been given to guarantee the continuation of the party’s political structure.
“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. I need to know where I stand,” he said.
The meeting was attended by the state Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo; the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Yusuf Kofar Mata; the state NNPP chairman, Hon. Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa; and other top party officials, who publicly expressed their loyalty to Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
Observers said the show of support by top government officials revealed a growing division within the party and bolstered Kwankwaso’s power amid continued rumors over Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s likely defection to the APC.
Political observers said Kwankwaso’s cautious posture emphasizes the necessity of safeguarding party institutions and defending adherents’ interests ahead of the 2027 national elections.
