“Kwankwaso Never Considered Joining APC” — NNPP

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has dismissed reports that its national leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, negotiated or made demands to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement dated January 31, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, said the claims were false and intended to damage Kwankwaso’s reputation.

Johnson said Kwankwaso neither considered joining the APC nor met President Bola Tinubu or his representatives to discuss defection. According to him, the last meeting between Kwankwaso and Tinubu was in January 2024, and it did not involve any conversation about switching parties.

He criticised what he described as the publication of unverified claims in major newspapers, suggesting the reports were driven by political interests.

Johnson also questioned the motives behind the rumours, alleging that those spreading the claims were individuals who had since moved to the APC themselves.

The NNPP spokesperson accused unnamed political actors of attempting to shape public perception of Kwankwaso through what he called misleading narratives in the media. He said the reports were designed to pre-empt Kwankwaso’s political plans and limit potential alliances.

Johnson further rejected a recent newspaper report that claimed to explain why Kwankwaso’s alleged defection failed, describing it as inaccurate and sponsored.

He urged the public to disregard the reports and maintained that Kwankwaso’s support base remains intact.