Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the National Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and former Governor of Kano State, has officially received no fewer than 1,230 former supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) into the NNPP. This significant political development was formally announced during a political gathering held on Sunday, attended by key party stakeholders.

The defectors primarily hail from Albasu and Sumaila Local Government Areas in the Kano South Senatorial District, with others joining from Bunkure and Tofa local council areas. These individuals were previously aligned with the Waraka political group of Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, who represents Kano South. Senator Sumaila himself had recently defected from the NNPP to the ruling APC a few months prior, along with some members of his constituency. The returning supporters reportedly abandoned their former leader, citing betrayal of trust and insincerity on the part of the Senator.

Receiving the defectors at his Miler Road mansion, Kwankwaso, who was the NNPP's presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, welcomed them back and assured them of equal treatment within the NNPP. He reiterated his long-standing commitment to issue-based politics, which he stated distinguishes the NNPP from other political parties. “I am always happy to receive people who believe in our movement, not because of financial incentives, but because of our collective vision for a better Nigeria. This is politics of ideology, not politics of the highest bidder,” Kwankwaso declared.

Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Jamilu Zamba and Maryam Romo reaffirmed their loyalty to the NNPP and lauded Senator Kwankwaso’s leadership style. They stated that their decision to rejoin the party was informed by Kwankwaso’s integrity, consistency, and his unwavering commitment to grassroots development. “We have realised that this is where our political future lies,” Zamba commented.

The formal announcement of their return was detailed in a statement by Sanusi Bature, the Director General Media and Publicity to the Kano State Governor. The party’s National Leader described the supporters' bold decision to return to the opposition party as a significant step in the pursuit of progressive, ideology-driven politics in Kano.