National leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has moved to shut down reports that he has supported the possible defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This clarification comes amid growing speculation in Kano political circles that Yusuf is preparing to leave the NNPP. The development has heightened tensions within the party and fueled claims that Kwankwaso has softened his long-standing opposition to defection.
On Tuesday night, reports circulated that the former Kano governor has changed his stance and given tacit approval for Yusuf and other NNPP members to join the APC.
Kwankwaso's camp rejected these reports outright.
Also read: Kano Government House under heavy security cover ahead of Abba Yusuf's defection
In a statement issued by his media aide Saifullahi Hassan, the NNPP leader said he did not endorse, support or encourage any move by Yusuf to defect, stressing that both he and the governor would remain bound by the mandate of the party.
The statement stressed that Yusuf was elected on the NNPP platform and is beholden to the party and the voters, noting that any suggestion of Kwankwaso's approval was a misrepresentation.
The national leadership of the NNPP also accused those behind the report of attempting to conceal Kwankwaso's possible defection to the political right.
Party spokesperson Ladipo Johnson said the claim that Kwankwaso had given his blessing was deliberately designed to mislead the public and dampen the reaction of party supporters.
He said party members who want to leave should do so openly rather than, in his words, “dragging the name of Senator Kwankwaso into their personal political calculations”.
Speculation over Yusuf's political future has intensified in recent weeks, with increased security around Kano Government House and fresh proposals by APC figures to add to rumors of imminent realignment.
Neither Yusuf nor the APC have publicly confirmed any defection plans.
