•Top chieftains kick against automatic ticket for new entrants
•He isn’t in a hurry to defect —NNPP spokesman
Amidst the claims and counter-claims of planned defection of former New Nigerian Peoples Party ( NNPP) presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), feelers from the party reveal that the move by the former Kano State governor is already creating disquiet in the party.
Party sources said that Kwankwaso’s move, believed to be based on a deal brokered President Bola Tinubu, with the NNPP leader, is causing disaffection in the camp of national chairman of the party, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and a presiding officer in the Senate eyeing APC governorship ticket in Kano in 2027.
The party sources claimed that barring any hitches, the NNPP former presidential candidate is expected to meet with President Tinubu when the latter returns from his trips to France and the United Kingdom.
Apart from Kwankwaso, three serving federal lawmakers on the platform of the NNPP met last week with the APC national chairman ahead of their formal declaration for the ruling party..
While the NNPP national secretariat and the Kano chapter continue to dismiss Kwankwaso’s planned defection as a fluke, the APC national chairman and the Kano chapter confirmed the move in separate remarks in the last one week.
Kano APC chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, in a press statement, however cautioned against preferential treatment for new entrants into the party.
Also expressing strong reservations against Kwankwaso and others planning to join the APC, the chairman of its Kano chapter declared that, the party “would not serve as a refuge for individuals facing legal or ethical challenges.
“We are also aware that some individuals are seeking to join our party for personal reasons—either because they have failed politically at the national or state level, or because they are under investigation by the economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Commission (ICPC).
“They should know that our party is not a safe haven for certain categories of people. We will not shield anyone. The law will take its course.”
The clash of ambition
Checks revealed that while Tinubu is working to secure the support of Kwankwaso and his supporters ahead of 2027 general election because of the latter’s grip on Kano, certain chieftains of the APC are jittery that their interest could be sacrificed in the horse trading with Kwankwaso and his NNPP.
A party source told the Nigerian Tribune in confidence that the Kano APC chairman is being emboldened by forces in Abuja who may lose out in the power game, arising from the Presidency romance with Kwankwaso and NNPP lawmakers.
The source further claimed that the NNPP lawmakers about to defect had been promised automatic ticket to secure their return to the National Assembly.
“If Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, decides to join Kwankwaso, it also means the deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, would also have to sacrifice his governorship ambition,” the source said.
“Such a deal isn’t tidy enough. How do you reward those who have stayed with the party through thick and thin?“ the source queried.
Kwankwaso not in a hurry to leave NNPP —Spokesman
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in a telephone interview, Ladipo Johnson, who confirmed that Kwankwaso’s defection is on the card, however said the former presidential candidate was still consulting with stakeholders.
He said:”That is still under speculation. When it will happen, the party will be taken into confidence.
“Kwankwaso is busy consulting with the party, building the base and structures. He is consulting with people across board. If he is going to join the APC or any other party, it will be announced formally.”
Asked if APC is the next platform for Kwankwaso, the NNPP spokesman said: “We will look at all the options.”
We are not aware of defection —Meseko
In spite of the statement by APC Kano chapter on Kwankwaso defection plan, the APC national secretariat claimed it was in the dark about such move from the former NNPP presidential candidate.
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in a telephone interview, Honourable Duro Meseko said the APC National Working Committee (NWC) was not privy to any discussion or move to encourage Kwankwaso to join the ruling party.
“Where did you get that from, Kwankwaso planning to join APC? I am not aware of such move,” he told the Nigerian Tribune.
