Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has declared that he will only defect to another political party ahead of the 2027 general election if he is offered either the presidential or vice-presidential ticket.
Kwankwaso also described the reported plan by Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as an act of betrayal, warning that such a move could undermine the political struggle that brought the NNPP to power in the state.
Speaking on Sunday at his Miller Road residence in Kano while addressing supporters under the Kwankwasiyya Movement, the former Kano State governor said his four decades of political experience and nationwide support base would not allow him to accept any lesser offer.
“I am always ready to listen to any political party, but my supporters across the country will only allow me to consider a presidential or vice-presidential ticket,” Kwankwaso said.
He disclosed that although the APC had approached him to rejoin the party, he turned down the offer because it lacked concrete proposals that would advance his political ideology and benefit his followers.
According to him, the Kwankwasiyya ideology prioritises poverty alleviation, youth empowerment, quality education, economic growth, improved healthcare and agricultural development.
Kwankwaso, who was the NNPP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, expressed shock over the alleged defection plan of Governor Yusuf, insisting that the governor neither consulted him nor offered any justification.
“This is a lesson to all of us. We never expected betrayal,” he said. “After everything we did to rescue Kano from the APC, handing the state back to them freely is the most painful aspect.”
He added that the NNPP leadership was taken aback by the development, urging supporters to continue praying for the governor and to prevail on him to reconsider his decision.
Meanwhile, signs of internal tension are emerging within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the entry of key political heavyweights, including former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Obi, who formally joined the ADC last week, is expected to contest the party’s presidential ticket alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
The uncompromising stance of the aspirants has raised fears of a possible crisis within the party ahead of 2027.
There are also speculations that Kwankwaso may be considering a move to the ADC, further complicating the race for the party’s ticket. Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has also been mentioned as a possible aspirant, though he has not made his intentions clear.
In addition to the battle of ambitions, the ADC is grappling with legal challenges. A former presidential candidate of the party, Dumebi Kachikwu, and a House of Representatives member, Leke Abejide, are currently in court, contesting the leadership of the party under a National Working Committee led by former Senate President, David Mark.
However, the ADC has dismissed fears of preferential treatment, insisting that its presidential candidate will only emerge through a convention.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said no individual would be favoured, stressing that the forthcoming state congresses and national convention were meant to fill executive positions and ratify earlier decisions, not to elect a presidential flag bearer.
“When we get to the bridge of choosing a presidential candidate, we will cross it. We have no preferred person,” Abdullahi said, adding that the Mark-led leadership remains the only faction recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He further stated that those laying claim to the party’s leadership had been expelled before the current executives assumed office, insisting that INEC recognises and communicates only with the David Mark-led National Working Committee.
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