‘Kwankwaso begins final push to defect to APC, writes party leadership’

Former Kano State governor and 2023 presidential candidate of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is in advanced discussions with the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, on plans to rejoin the ruling party.

According to a report by DAILY TRUST, sources within the APC in Kano, said Kwankwaso had written to the national secretariat of the party in Abuja on his moves to join the APC.

Although this could not be independently verified at press time, insiders at the secretariat disclosed that meetings between Kwankwaso and Prof. Yilwatda have intensified following his engagement with the presidency on the matter.

“As a party, we will abide by whatever decision the leaders feel is in the interest of the party,” one of the sources noted.

Kwankwaso, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the NNPP platform and played a decisive role in the party’s victory in Kano, is said to have submitted conditions for his return. Among them is a demand that his protégé, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, be given the APC governorship ticket in 2027, while he himself secures a prominent role at the national level.

A Kano APC stalwart explained that the letter was directed to Abuja rather than the state chapter due to Kwankwaso’s long-standing rift with local leaders.

“We are aware of the letter he submitted but it’s not something we can discuss now. If he is coming, we have nothing against that, he is welcome,” the source said.

Another insider added: “From what we know, he submitted it in Abuja, not in Kano. Whatever the case, once everything is finalised, it will be made public.”

Close aides to Governor Yusuf confirmed that he is prepared to follow his mentor’s lead. “Our governor has no objection at all,” one confidant stated. “He is only waiting for the green light from his mentor.”

When contacted, APC’s National Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed talk of a formal letter as “speculation,” but maintained the party was open to receiving Kwankwaso or any other politician ready to work in line with its progressive ideals. “I don’t know anything concerning the submission of a letter by Kwankwaso to the secretariat,” he said.