NNPP leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso says he is ready to return to the APC only under strong conditions, insisting on tangible benefits for his party and accusing past alliances of betrayal
2027: Kwankwaso Sets Conditions to Rejoin APC
Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has declared readiness to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) — but only under strong conditions.
Kwankwaso, who is also the NNPP national leader, said any potential defection must come with “tangible promises” from the ruling party and President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking in Kano on Thursday while receiving Hon. Buhari Bakwana, a former political adviser to ex-Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Kwankwaso reminded his visitors that he and other political figures were among the founding fathers of the APC in 2013.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us,” Kwankwaso said.
“Discussions about a merger or return to APC must spell out tangible benefits for my party (NNPP). If you are asking us to join APC, you must tell us what NNPP will gain. We have gubernatorial candidates in all the states and full structures nationwide. What will you offer them, if we join?”
The former Kano governor lamented that he and other APC founders suffered political persecution from anti-graft agencies during the party’s formation but were sidelined once the APC took power in 2015.
“Eight years of APC under Muhammadu Buhari gave us nothing, not even appreciation,” Kwankwaso said, adding that PDP also betrayed agreements before his defection.
Meanwhile, the Kano State chapter of the APC has expressed readiness to welcome Kwankwaso back — but with caution.
APC state secretary Zakari Ibrahim Sarina told journalists that the party would accept him provided he respects the rules and principles of the ruling party.
“Kwankwaso can’t come to APC and control a party that has national spread. APC is not NNPP, which he established and controls. But we are ready to welcome him because his return will strengthen the party and bring peace and development to Kano,” Sarina said.
Kwankwaso had earlier met President Bola Tinubu in July at the State House, where both leaders reportedly discussed politics and governance. However, he later accused Tinubu’s administration of sidelining the North, alleging that national resources were being disproportionately channelled to the South.
The former Defence Minister also renewed his warning at the Kano State Stakeholders’ Dialogue on the 2025 Constitutional Amendment, insisting that federal resources must be equitably distributed.
