The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has rejected Rabiu Kwankwaso’s criticism of members of the Kwankwassiya Movement who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that Kwankwaso himself is the true betrayer.
Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano State and leader of the Kwankwassiya Movement, accused prominent members of the NNPP in Kano of betraying the party after their defection to the APC.
He made the remarks during a visit by some of his Kwankwassiya Movement supporters from Takai Local Government Area at his residence in Kano on Friday evening.
Among the defectors is Abdulrahman Kawu, who represents Kano South in the National Assembly.
Kawu, alongside several federal lawmakers from Kano, recently joined the APC.
In response, NNPP National Chairman Agbo Major released a statement on Monday, asserting that Kwankwaso no longer represents the party.
He reminded the public that Kwankwaso had been expelled from the NNPP, along with his followers led by Dr. Ahmed Ajuji.
Major further clarified that the Kwankwassiya Movement was never a political party but a group that had been incorporated into the NNPP following the 2023 presidential election, where Kwankwaso was the party’s candidate.
He expressed surprise that Kwankwaso would accuse defecting members of betrayal.
“The NNPP had already ended its agreement with Kwankwaso and the Kwankwassiya Movement after the 2023 elections,” Major stated. “As Nigerian citizens, these individuals are free to join any political party they choose.”
He continued, “Kwankwaso is in no position to call anyone a betrayer. It was he who betrayed the trust the NNPP placed in him when he attempted to take control of the party. Nigerians have the right to belong to any political party, and Kwankwaso has no authority to stop members of the Kwankwassiya Movement from joining the APC or any other party.”
Major emphasized that Kwankwaso’s loss of control over his movement was evident when his followers chose to leave, a move he described as a further sign of the end of Kwankwaso’s political career.
He concluded by stating that Kwankwaso’s expulsion from the NNPP and the subsequent defection of his supporters marked the conclusion of his political influence.
“Kwankwaso’s political journey ended with his expulsion from the NNPP,” Major said. “His followers’ decision to join the APC signifies that he has lost command over his movement, much like he lost his attempt to hijack the NNPP.”
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