The All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a strong message to Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), making it clear that joining the ruling party will not shield him from ongoing corruption investigations.
Speaking during a press conference held at the party’s Kano headquarters on Friday, the APC Chairman in the state, Abdullahi Abbas, reacted to growing speculation about Kwankwaso’s potential defection.
“We are fully aware that some people are desperate to join the APC because they have scuttled their political goodwill and have become political lepers in the national scheme of things and looking to the APC for relevance,” Abbas said.
He emphasized that defection into APC should not be mistaken as a way of escaping scrutiny from agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
“We are also aware that some politicians are trying to run away from accounting for their corrupt misdeeds both in government and party administration, and seeking refuge in the APC to escape from the fangs of anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and IPCC.
However, joining APC as a political party is not a panacea for escaping from their past sins,” he declared.
Beyond the warning, the APC leader demanded an apology from Kwankwaso to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for past disparaging remarks now that he appears to be seeking entry into the party.
He said, “It is high time Kwankwaso tender an unreserved public apology to President Bola Tinubu and his vice, Kashim Shettima, over previous derogatory comments, now that he is desperate to decamp.”
While Abbas acknowledged that political realignments are constitutional rights, he argued that Kwankwaso has few options left.
“APC remains the last political refuge for Kwankwaso, having allegedly destroyed his relations with all other political groups.”
He also warned against tolerating the presence of any organized factions within the party structure, taking a veiled swipe at Kwankwaso’s supporters.
“For the avoidance of doubt, let me emphasize that the APC as a political party does not and will not encourage or promote the existence of cult-like associations in the name of political activities or grouping.”
Despite his hardline stance, Abbas announced that the party has begun preparations to receive potential defectors.
“I have directed ward chapters to open registers to receive the new decampees irrespective of their political and social status in line with the party’s constitution provision.”
He called on party leaders at all levels to maintain their responsibilities until their tenure ends.
