Kwankwaso’s Movement Denies Defection Rumours to Nigeria’s Ruling APC
The Kwankwasiyya Movement has issued a strong denial of persistent rumours that its leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is planning to defect to Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement on Thursday, the movement’s spokesperson, Dr. Habibu Sale Muhammad, categorically rejected the reports as “entirely false, baseless, and deliberately misleading.” The speculation, which has circulated in media commentaries and on television, alleged that Kwankwaso engaged in negotiations or made demands to join the APC.
“We state clearly… that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has never at any time entered into negotiations, discussions, or meetings with the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, or any proxy for the purpose of defection,” the statement read.
The movement clarified that the last formal meeting between Kwankwaso and President Tinubu occurred in January 2024. It insisted that no discussion regarding defection, political bargaining, or party alignment took place during that encounter, describing claims of high demands as “fabrications built on imaginary negotiations.”
Dr. Muhammad acknowledged that Kwankwaso maintains long-standing relationships across party lines, which are normal in a democracy. However, he argued that in the absence of verified facts about the January meeting, speculation on defection is irresponsible. “No individual, analyst, or media organization has the right to speculate or draw conclusions particularly on matters as grave as defection,” he said.
The spokesperson alleged the rumours are part of a “broader, coordinated attempt by sections of the political elite” to discredit Kwankwaso ahead of future political realignments. He suggested some promoters of the narratives are themselves recent APC defectors seeking to justify their moves.
Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and a significant opposition figure, is described as a politician of “discipline, integrity, and principle” whose strength derives from his popular support, not elite consensus.
The movement urged journalists and media platforms to adhere to professional standards of verification and factual accuracy when reporting on sensitive political issues. It called on Nigerians to disregard the “misleading reports, speculative opinions, and manufactured analyses” circulating in some media sections.
The denial highlights the persistent volatility of Nigeria’s political landscape, where rumours of defections frequently surface ahead of elections or major political shifts. Kwankwaso’s stance remains a point of interest for analysts monitoring opposition unity and the ruling party’s efforts to consolidate its majority.
