The supporters of Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano and national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), under the aegis of the Kwankwasiyya movement, say they are considering defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to give their principal a better shot at the presidency.
Abdullahi Rogo, director general of the protocol directorate at the Kano state government house, spoke on behalf of the movement after a meeting with key figures in Rogo LGA, including the council chairman, councillors, and party leaders.
The meeting was led by Jibril Falgore, speaker of the state house of assembly.
Rogo said the planned defection is in Kano’s best interest, adding that the group had appealed to Abba Yusuf, Kano governor, and Kwankwaso to lead them into the ruling party.
“During the meeting, we unanimously agreed to appeal to the Governor of Kano state, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, and the national leader of our great party, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to lead us in defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Rogo said in a video shared on Sunday in which he spoke in Hausa.
“This decision was taken in the best interest of Kano state’s development and the political progress of Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
“We strongly believe that his ambition to become the president of Nigeria stands a better chance of being realised within the APC.
“This was the major resolution reached at the meeting, and all members of the NNPP, as well as supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement in the Rogo local government area, agreed with this position.”
Rogo said the group had no intention of abandoning the Kwankwasiyya movement, urging Kwankwaso and Yusuf to take the lead.
In May, Kwankwaso criticised defectors who switched political allegiances after gaining power.
The former Kano governor was once a member of the APC but defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after constant clashes with Abdullahi Ganduje, his former deputy and successor.
Kwankwaso contested the 2019 primaries on the PDP platform before joining NNPP in 2022.
His supporters are believed to have followed him across these parties
