Olusegun Ariyo
The Kano State chapter of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) appears to be divided over the possible return of former Kano State Governor and 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to the party.
In a press conference held at the APC headquarters in Kano on Friday, the State Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, confirmed reports that Kwankwaso, who was recently expelled from the NNPP, is making moves to rejoin the APC. Abbas welcomed the development, describing it as a positive step.
“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 about it,” Abbas said.
However, the chairman made it clear that those who previously insulted party leaders and the government, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, must first offer an apology before being considered for re-admittance.
“Anyone who knows they have insulted our leaders, such as President Tinubu and his vice, must go back and apologise 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 emphasised that the APC remains open to new members and has instructed ward and local government executives to begin registering interested individuals.
He added that the party would provide a fair platform for all aspirants, stating, “Anyone who wishes to contest for any position is free to do so—once the people vote for them, so be it.”
He cautioned, however, that the APC would not serve as a refuge for individuals facing legal or ethical challenges.
“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 haven for thieves and criminals. We will not shield anyone. The law will take its course,” Abbas added.
Despite the chairman’s open arms, some senior party members strongly oppose Kwankwaso’s return.
Speaking to Urban Express News Online on Thursday, APC spokesman, Ahmed Aruwa, flatly rejected the idea.
“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 pointed to the controversial demolitions carried out by the NNPP-led government in Kano as a key reason for the resistance.
“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 dismissed the notion that Kwankwaso could strengthen the APC in the face of growing opposition unity.
“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 the APC. Even if Abuja accepts him, we in Kano will not,” he declared.
On the other hand, NNPP Kano Chairman Dr. Hashimu Sulaiman Dungurawa told Newsmen that their members are simply waiting for Kwankwaso’s instructions and will follow him wherever he goes.
“We are blind followers. We don’t recognise anyone but Kwankwaso. Wherever he goes, we’ll follow,” Dungurawa said.
He dismissed the defection rumours 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.”
Earlier this week, NNPP spokesperson Ladipo Johnson and party Board of Trustees Secretary Buba Galadima, both allies of Kwankwaso, denied reports that he is planning to defect to the APC.
The NNPP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis between Kwankwaso and party founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, with both camps claiming control of the party.
As of now, Kwankwaso—known for his past criticism of President Tinubu and a political rival of APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje—has yet to publicly respond to the swirling rumours about his political future.
