Tensions have flared between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) following claims by APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, that NNPP is “dead” and that its national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is plotting a return to the ruling party.
Responding to the claim, NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, dismissed Ganduje’s remarks as “inconsequential” and “panic-driven.”
“Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso has not—repeat, not—indicated any intention to join the APC,” Johnson told a newspaper (not Chronicle NG). “He is focused on rebuilding and fortifying the NNPP, and is currently consulting with Nigerians across different sectors on how best to reposition the party for 2027.”
Johnson further suggested that Ganduje is intimidated by Kwankwaso’s political influence: “He is in panic mode because he knows that Kwankwaso adds more value to any political space than he could ever contribute.”
Ganduje had earlier made the controversial statement while receiving members of the Tinubu Support Group at the APC national secretariat in Abuja. He declared the NNPP finished and appeared confident about Kwankwaso’s potential return.
“The coffin has already been constructed. What remains now is to dig the grave,” Ganduje said. “Kwankwaso wants to come back, and we will welcome him.”
Reacting from Osun State, NNPP Chairman, Dr. Tosin Odeyemi, criticised Ganduje’s remarks, accusing him of deflecting from the APC’s poor governance record.
“Ganduje should be concerned about the APC’s failures rather than making baseless claims,” Odeyemi stated. “Kwankwaso is too visionary to align with a party like the APC that has brought untold hardship on Nigerians.”
He described the APC chairman as “out of touch with reality,” accusing him of trying to lure respected politicians into a failing party.
“Ganduje’s followers in Kano are probably misleading him for financial favours,” Odeyemi added. “Kwankwaso will not associate with the kind of political actors currently in the APC.”
Meanwhile, the Kano State APC chapter has added fuel to the fire by outrightly rejecting the idea of Kwankwaso’s return.
The party’s spokesperson, Ahmed S. Aruwa, called Kwankwaso a “political liability,” claiming his return would offer no advantage to the APC or Kano State.
“Kwankwaso has a track record of destroying parties. He wrecked the PDP, left it in crisis, and is now doing the same to the NNPP,” Aruwa said. “We don’t need him in APC.”
He alleged the former Kano governor intentions were not genuine, but rather calculated toward a 2031 presidential bid.
“We know his game. He wants to hijack the party structure through the back door,” Aruwa stated. “From 2019 to 2023, we toiled to build the APC while he insulted and mocked us. We won’t allow him to ruin the party.”
Aruwa concluded by stating that any reconciliation must begin with Ganduje.
“If he truly wants to return, he should start by meeting and reconciling with Ganduje,” Aruwa added.
