Kwankwaso’s alleged return to APC triggers internal revolt in Kano

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There seems to be disagreement within the Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the potential return of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the 2023 NNPP presidential candidate and former Kano State governor.

The State Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, verified allegations that Kwankwaso, who was recently expelled from the NNPP, is attempting to rejoin the APC during a news conference on Friday at the APC headquarters in Kano. Abbas praised the move, calling it a step in the right direction.

“We have received reports that the leader of the NNPP, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who was expelled from his party, is preparing to return to the APC. This is a welcome development—we are happy and pleased about it,” Abbas said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are among those who had previously attacked party leaders and the administration; nevertheless, the chairman made it plain that they must first apologize before they can be re-admitted.

“Anyone who knows they have insulted our leaders, such as President Tinubu and his vice, must go back and apologize to them. It’s not acceptable to accuse and attack them in the past, and now claim you want to come back under their leadership,” he warned.

Abbas stressed that the APC is still accepting new members and that officials from the ward and local governments have been directed to start enrolling those who are interested.

“Anyone who wishes to contest for any position is free to do so—once the people vote for them, so be it,” he said, adding that the party would give all candidates a fair platform.

However, he issued a warning that the APC will not act as a haven for anybody dealing with moral or legal dilemmas.

“We are also aware that some individuals are seeking to join our party for personal reasons—either because they have failed politically at the national or state level, or because they are under investigation by the EFCC or ICPC.“

“They should know that our party is not a safe haven for thieves and criminals. We will not shield anyone. The law will take its course,” Abbas added.

Some top party members are adamantly against Kwankwaso’s return, even if the chairman has welcomed him back.

APC spokesman Ahmed Aruwa categorically rejected the concept in an interview with ZINGTIE on Thursday.

“We do not welcome him. After committing numerous wrongs against the people, he now seeks to return? We will not accept that,” Aruwa stated.

He cited the NNPP-led government’s contentious demolitions in Kano as a major cause of the opposition.

“They demolished shops and destroyed people’s livelihoods out of spite. Now he wants to return to us? We’re not interested,” he said.

Aruwa rejected the idea that Kwankwaso could fortify the APC against the growing solidarity of the opposition.

“We won elections before without him, and Tinubu will win again without him. His return would only cause confusion and unrest in the party,” he argued.

“Even co-wives aren’t kept in the same house to avoid conflict. Kwankwaso should remain in the NNPP. Ganduje is in APC. Even if Abuja accepts him, we in Kano will not,” he declared.

However, Dr. Hashimu Sulaiman Dungurawa, the chairman of the NNPP Kano, told ZINGTIE that their members are just waiting for Kwankwaso’s orders and will follow him wherever he goes.

“We are blind followers. We don’t recognize anyone but Kwankwaso. Wherever he goes, we’ll follow,” Dungurawa said.

He dismissed the defection rumors as mere speculation. “I only heard the talks on social media. If there’s any truth to it, Kwankwaso himself will speak when the time is right.”

Kwankwaso’s friends, NNPP spokesperson Ladipo Johnson and party Board of Trustees Secretary Buba Galadima, refuted rumors earlier this week that he was considering switching to the APC.

Kwankwaso and Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the party’s founder, are at odds over leadership of the NNPP, and both sides are vying for power.

Kwankwaso, a political adversary of APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and well-known for his prior criticism of President Tinubu, has not yet openly addressed the circulating allegations over his political future.

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