National leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has signalled openness to joining the All Progressives Congress but insisted that any move must be backed by clear, written agreements.
The former Kano State governor said he has not ruled out aligning with the ruling party, stressing that his cautious approach is informed by past political experiences where commitments were not honoured. He made this known while addressing supporters from Rano and Dawakin Tofa local government areas who paid him a loyalty visit at his residence in Kano.
Kwankwaso explained that his position is guided by the need to protect his political base and maintain strong bargaining power in ongoing engagements with President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the APC. According to him, discussions about his possible defection should not be interpreted as a rejection of the ruling party, but rather as a careful and strategic process.
He clarified that comments attributed to him regarding the possible defection of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had been misunderstood. He noted that his concern is not about joining another party, but about ensuring that the political future of Kano State and the interests of his supporters are clearly secured before any decision is taken.
Kwankwaso questioned what would become of NNPP lawmakers, party officials, and loyal supporters if he were to defect without concrete assurances. He said he would not make such a move blindly and must first understand his expected role, the political direction of the alliance, and how planned policies aimed at improving the welfare of ordinary people would be sustained.
Recalling previous political alliances, he said his camp played a key role in the emergence of a past federal government but was later marginalised. That experience, he said, has shaped his insistence on firm guarantees before entering into any new arrangement.
He emphasised that no solid assurances have so far been presented to protect the Kwankwasiyya movement or to ensure fair treatment of its members within another political platform. According to him, abandoning the NNPP without written commitments would expose his supporters and political structure to unnecessary risk.
Kwankwaso maintained that any decision on defection must be based on trust, clarity, and documented agreements that safeguard the interests of Kano State and those who have stood by him politically.
