The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reiterated its willingness to welcome former presidential candidate Rabi’u Kwankwaso into its fold, even as his party, the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), faces a major defection in Kano State.
APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda stated the party’s position in an interview on Trust TV on Sunday. “Our doors are still open for Kwankwaso to join the APC. If he comes, he’s mostly welcome,” Yilwatda said, adding that no formal negotiations have commenced.
This announcement follows the defection of Abba Yusuf, the NNPP’s only state governor and the Governor of Kano, to the APC last Friday. Yusuf was accompanied by members of the Kano State House of Assembly. His departure represents a significant loss for the NNPP, which positioned itself as a major opposition force following the 2023 elections.
Kwankwaso, a veteran politician and former Kano State governor, publicly expressed deep surprise at Yusuf’s move. He described the defection as a “big shock” to himself and many Nigerians, stating it felt “unreal” and left people “confused.” Kwankwaso had previously been instrumental in supporting Yusuf’s 2023 gubernatorial campaign.
The defection underscores the fluidity of Nigeria’s political alliances, where party switching, particularly ahead of future electoral cycles, is not uncommon. The APC’s public invitation to Kwankwaso signals an ambition to further consolidate its majority by attracting prominent figures from smaller parties.
The situation leaves the NNPP significantly weakened in its stronghold of Kano, having lost both the governorship and the state legislative majority. For Kwankwaso, the event poses a strategic dilemma regarding his political future. While the APC extends an open invitation, his public expressions of shock suggest any decision would be weighed carefully against his established base and political identity. The coming weeks will determine whether this defection triggers a broader realignment in the state or if the NNPP can rebuild its structure in Kano.
