‘Greatest political sin’ — Kwankwaso knocks defectors leaving NNPP for APC
Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Kano state governor and national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has criticised defectors who switch political allegiance after gaining power.
The former Kano governor spoke on Saturday in Kano while welcoming new NNPP members from Takai LGA of the state.
Kwankwaso, who is also the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, described such defections as the “greatest political sin”, adding that the betrayals undermine democracy and erode public trust.
“This is the highest form of betrayal in a democratic setting. I don’t know of any greater political sin than when vulnerable people vote for you — rejecting deceivers and enemies of progress — and you turn around to join those same enemies after winning,” Kwankwaso said.
“Had the people known, they wouldn’t have voted for you.”
He also cautioned politicians against attacking the Kwankwasiyya movement, as anyone who attempts to do so would be met with firm resistance.
Kwankwaso encouraged his supporters to expand the party’s influence by engaging more people at the grassroots level and upholding the values of the movement regardless of personal gain.
He added that the movement is driven by service to the people rather than financial incentives, noting that its journey has been shaped by the experiences of successive elections.
“Fighting the Kwankwasiyya movement is a grave mistake for any politician. One may not understand until he engages in that fight—and then he’ll realize how tough it is to battle a solid wall,” he said.
“Whether you’re in this movement with or without an appointment, whether you got a contract or not, I believe we all are in the right frame of mind and grateful to God.
“Even what happened in Kano South should be taken as a lesson. Some people collected spaghetti and N2,000 to elect someone. But in Kano, the poor stood firm. If it had been left to those selling their votes, the NNPP wouldn’t have won.”
There has been a gale of defection from NNPP defectors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
On February 20, Yusuf Galambi, a member of the house of representatives, announced his defection from the NNPP to the APC, citing a “directive” from his constituency as the reason for the switch.
Kawu Sumaila, the senator representing Kano south, also defected from the NNPP to the APC, saying that his decision was “anchored on compelling and undeniable developments within the party.”
