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Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has flatly denied claims that he approved or encouraged Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), distancing himself from reports suggesting a reversal of his earlier stance.
The denial followed a surge of political speculation that Governor Yusuf was finalising plans to leave the NNPP, with some reports alleging that Kwankwaso had privately endorsed the move despite previously rejecting similar defection talks.
However, reacting through his media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, Kwankwaso described the reports as a deliberate misrepresentation of his position, stressing that he has not altered his loyalty to the NNPP or its leadership structure.
“Senator Kwankwaso has not, at any time, given approval or consent for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to defect to the APC,” Hassan said.
“He remains committed to the principles and political direction of the NNPP and has not authorised anyone to suggest otherwise.”
Furthermore, the statement emphasised that Yusuf was elected on the NNPP platform and is expected to respect the mandate freely given to him by voters, adding that rumours of endorsement were designed to create unnecessary tension within the party.
In a separate reaction, NNPP national spokesperson, Ladipo Johnson, also dismissed the reports, describing them as politically motivated falsehoods aimed at misleading the public and weakening party cohesion.
Johnson said those spreading the claims were attempting to falsely attach Kwankwaso’s name to personal political ambitions, noting that “anyone who wishes to leave the party should do so without dragging the leadership into fabricated narratives.”
He further warned that political betrayal would not be forgotten by the electorate, arguing that Nigerians would hold defectors accountable in future elections, particularly in 2027.
Hence, NNPP leaders have urged party supporters and the general public to ignore the defection rumours, insisting that Kwankwaso has neither made a “U-turn” nor endorsed any move by Governor Yusuf to the APC.