Kwankwaso Sets Clear Conditions Before Considering Return to APC

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and former governor of Kano State, has outlined specific conditions under which he and his supporters would consider rejoining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), emphasising that any such decision must protect the future of the Kano State government and his political movement.

Kwankwaso, speaking at a meeting with leaders and members of the Kwankwasiyya movement at his Miller Road residence in Kano, stated that he would not defect to the APC without clear and concrete assurances on key political interests, particularly the continuity of the current Kano government and the welfare of lawmakers and supporters aligned with his faction.

“I didn’t say I won’t join APC,” Kwankwaso clarified, “but we must first be clearly assured of the future of the Kano State government before we join the APC.” He stressed that any move must also include firm guarantees regarding the positions and prospects of his political allies, including state legislators and grassroots mobilisers who have been loyal to his leadership.

Kwankwaso recalled past political experiences in which his faction contributed significantly to forming governments, only to feel sidelined afterward. He noted that such outcomes influenced his cautious stance on defection this time around, saying assurances are necessary to prevent a repeat of previous disappointments. “In the past, we joined and contributed to forming the government, but later we were abandoned,” he said, questioning whether the APC’s approach toward his group has genuinely changed.

The condition he set reflects concerns among his loyalists that a defection without prearranged guarantees could undermine the political gains achieved within Kano State’s government structure and weaken the broader Kwankwasiyya movement ahead of the 2027 general election cycle. Supporters attending the meeting reaffirmed their loyalty to his leadership and echoed the need for clearly defined terms before any defection.

Analysts say Kwankwaso’s demands highlight the complex negotiations shaping realignment talks in Nigeria’s multi-party system, where political figures seek strategic leverage before making moves that could reshape regional alliances. The call for assurances underscores a broader concern among political actors about safeguarding influence and ensuring that supporters are not left politically stranded after crossing party lines.

Kwankwaso’s careful articulation of conditions comes amid continued speculation surrounding the political future of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State and other NNPP officials, with pressure mounting on some members to migrate to the APC. However, Kwankwaso’s stance makes it clear that any decision to rejoin the ruling party would be contingent on detailed commitments that protect his faction’s interests and influence within the state’s political framework.

The former governor’s position emphasises that political realignment, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections, is as much about negotiation and guarantees as it is about party loyalty  reflecting the strategic positioning that often underpins major defections in Nigeria’s political landscap.