The national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has advised political appointees in the Kano State Government to “play along” amid alleged pressure to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kwankwaso gave the advice in a viral video released on Tuesday night, reacting to claims that officials serving under Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf were being compelled to endorse a planned defection to the APC.
Expressing displeasure, the former governor said he was disturbed by what he described as pressure on local government chairmen, councillors, secretaries and other appointees to choose between the NNPP’s Kwankwasiyya movement and the APC.
“I am dismayed by the government’s decision to put pressure on local chairmen and councillors, secretaries and other appointees to choose between Kwankwasiyya and Gandujiyya,” Kwankwaso said.
He alleged that lists of loyalists were being compiled to strengthen negotiations ahead of the governor’s anticipated move to the APC, adding that many appointees, caucus members and lawmakers were under intense pressure to append their signatures in support of the defection.
“The appointees are in a dire situation. They are disturbed since the issue of going to Tinubu and Ganduje’s party came up. Some have called me in distress, some are hospitalised, while others are having sleepless nights,” he stated.
Kwankwaso said following consultations with party leaders and supporters, the NNPP resolved to advise affected officials to cooperate for now in order to protect their means of livelihood and calm rising tensions in the state.
“If signing the loyalty list will take them out of the distressing situation they found themselves in and douse the tension in the state, so be it,” he said, stressing that it was not yet the 2027 electioneering period.
He assured supporters that the party’s base remained intact and would mobilise at the appropriate time.
“We believe it is not yet the electioneering period of 2027, and our supporters wherever they are will show up in the time of need,” he added.
Recalling political developments in Kano during the 2015–2019 period, Kwankwaso said his supporters had previously endured political setbacks with patience and eventually prevailed in 2023.
“Kwankwasiyya was built on loyalty. Whoever chooses to be disloyal, the only option is to leave,” he said, describing the political contest in Kano as “between light and dark.”
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