Disquiet in APC Over Tinubu’s Deal with Kwankwaso Amid Defection Speculation

There is growing unease within the All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding the potential defection of former New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to the ruling party. Reports suggest that the former governor of Kano State’s potential move, which is said to be the result of a deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu, has sparked concerns among party members, particularly those aligned with APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and some individuals eyeing the governorship seat in Kano in 2027.

Kwankwaso is expected to meet with President Tinubu upon his return from France and the United Kingdom, but while the NNPP leadership continues to dismiss the idea of Kwankwaso’s defection, both the APC national and Kano chapters have confirmed it in recent comments. However, tensions are high, especially regarding the treatment of new entrants to the party. The Kano APC Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, warned against offering preferential treatment to individuals joining the party, making it clear that the APC would not become a refuge for those facing legal or ethical challenges.

Some members of the APC are uneasy about the possible impact of Kwankwaso’s defection. While President Tinubu seeks to secure Kwankwaso’s support ahead of the 2027 general election, there are concerns that key party figures in Kano could see their ambitions undermined in the process. Rumors have circulated that some of the NNPP lawmakers who are expected to join the APC have been promised automatic tickets to retain their seats in the National Assembly. This has raised questions about how the party will balance the interests of long-standing members who have stayed loyal to the APC.

Further complicating matters is the suggestion that if Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State joins Kwankwaso, it could mean a major shift in the region’s political dynamics, potentially sidelining figures like Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, who is said to have ambitions for the governorship.

Meanwhile, Kwankwaso’s spokesman, Ladipo Johnson, has confirmed that discussions about his defection are ongoing, but that the former presidential candidate is still consulting with various stakeholders. Johnson emphasized that no official announcement has been made and that Kwankwaso is carefully considering all available options.

Despite the growing speculation, APC National Working Committee member, Honourable Duro Meseko, has denied any knowledge of Kwankwaso’s planned defection. In a statement to the Nigerian Tribune, Meseko expressed surprise at the rumors, asserting that the APC national leadership had not been involved in any discussions regarding Kwankwaso’s potential move to the party.