Former Kano State Governor and leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has again outlined strict conditions under which he would consider returning to the ruling All Progressives Congress, amid growing speculation over a possible defection by Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Kwankwaso made his position known on Wednesday at his Miller Road residence in Kano while receiving leaders and supporters of the Kwankwasiyya movement from Rano and Dawakin Tofa local government areas.
His remarks were contained in a statement issued by his media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, and shared on his verified Facebook page.
According to the statement, Kwankwaso said any return to the APC must be guided by clear agreements and assurances, insisting he would not make such a move without defined roles and guarantees for his political movement and supporters.
“I will not go to the APC blindly. I must be clearly informed of my role, the direction of the journey and the fate of our plans for the common people, including the position of our supporters and the Kano State Government,” he was quoted as saying.
His comments come against the backdrop of rising political tension in Kano following reports that Governor Yusuf may be considering a move to the APC.
Kwankwaso has repeatedly distanced himself from the speculation, stressing that he neither supports nor endorses any plan for the governor to defect.
The NNPP leader also criticised those he accused of encouraging Yusuf to abandon the party, arguing that anyone contemplating such a move should first relinquish the mandate secured on the platform of the NNPP.
“It is painful for a mandate won through a hard-fought election to be transferred to another political party,” he said, adding that he would not be party to such a decision.
Although he ruled out an unconditional return to the APC, Kwankwaso has in the past indicated openness to political realignment if his conditions are met.
He has previously stated that any defection must come with tangible political benefits, including consideration for the presidential or vice-presidential ticket.
Earlier this week, Kwankwaso advised his supporters serving in Governor Yusuf’s administration to align with the governor if they are forced to take sides, saying the directive was aimed at protecting them from political pressure.
He noted that the real political contest had yet to begin.
Reaffirming his stance during Wednesday’s meeting, Kwankwaso said his position on joining the APC remained unchanged and that the future of the Kwankwasiyya movement must be clearly defined before any decision is taken.
DAILY GAZETTE recalls that in September 2025, Kwankwaso said his party was open to joining the APC only on what he described as “strong promises.”
He made the statement while receiving former political allies of ex-Governor Abdullahi Ganduje alongside APC members from across Kano State.
Meanwhile, Kano State Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has publicly identified with Kwankwaso following his return from an overseas trip.
Gwarzo, who had travelled to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj before visiting Dubai, was absent when calls intensified for Governor Yusuf to defect to the APC.
Speculation had emerged during his absence that he remained loyal to Kwankwaso and was being positioned as a potential governorship candidate of the Kwankwasiyya movement ahead of the 2027 elections.
Upon his return on Monday, the deputy governor was later seen at Kwankwaso’s residence and attended Wednesday’s meeting at Miller Road, further reinforcing perceptions of his alignment with the NNPP leader and the Kwankwasiyya political movement.
