Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), has reassured his supporters that every political move he makes will be guided by the interests of ordinary Nigerians.
Speaking at his Miller Road residence in Kano, he said, “I will continue to make decisions that benefit the people,” even as speculation swirls about a possible switch to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kwankwaso emphasized that any potential defection would hinge on “firm political guarantees,” particularly concerning control of Kano State and protection of his supporters and party structures. “I need clarity before making any move.
Without concrete guarantees, there can be no discussion about defection,” he told party leaders from Rano and Dawakin Tofa, warning that past experiences of being sidelined after helping form a government must not repeat.
Meanwhile, NNPP officials have been quick to distance the party from any defection talks. Kano State chairman Hashimu Dungurawa stressed that “the party and its national leader do not approve of any move to the APC,” and that efforts are underway to keep members loyal.
A national‑secretary statement added that any negotiation with Kwankwaso would be on his “individual capacity” and not on behalf of the NNPP, noting that the party’s memorandum of understanding with the Kwankwasiyya movement ended after the 2023 election.
The political climate in Kano remains tense, with analysts noting that a Kwankwaso defection could reshape the state’s power dynamics, potentially benefiting APC heavyweights like former governor Abdullahi Ganduje. Yet, for now, Kwankwaso maintains that his focus remains on delivering policies that uplift the masses, regardless of party affiliation.
