Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the influential leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and former Governor of Kano State, has firmly dismissed and publicly rejected reports and calls regarding an alleged plan for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking from his residence along Miller Road in Kano on Saturday, Kwankwaso unequivocally stated his disapproval of any such move, distancing himself and the movement from the defection speculations.

“I do not support this planned defection, and I want to thank you for supporting the Kwankwasiyya Movement,” Kwankwaso declared, addressing his supporters. He emphasized the importance of learning from past political events, remarking, “I thought we have all learned a lesson from what happened with Ganduje, but now we are hearing all sorts of talks from different people.” This statement implicitly referred to previous political realignments and betrayals, underscoring his concern for loyalty and consistency within the movement.

Kwankwaso passionately urged his followers to continue offering prayers for the Kwankwasiyya Movement and issued a direct appeal to anyone engaging Governor Yusuf or members of his administration in defection discussions to cease immediately. He warned of dire consequences if these talks persisted, stating, “If they continue on this path, there will come a time when people will say Ganduje’s betrayal was even better despite how rotten he is.” While expressing his personal desire for members to remain with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), he acknowledged that the ultimate decision rests with individuals, asserting, “On my part, I don’t want them to leave, but if they do, life moves on.”

This public declaration marks the first time Senator Kwankwaso has directly addressed the swirling rumors concerning potential defections involving high-ranking Kano State government officials. Beyond the immediate context of Kano, the former governor also voiced significant apprehension over the broader trend of defections to the ruling party across Nigeria. He highlighted, “About 30 governors have defected to the APC so far, and those remaining are under pressure to move as well,” portraying this as a critical political issue. According to Kwankwaso, such widespread defections foster a perception that election outcomes are predetermined, thereby undermining democratic processes. He concluded by calling upon members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement to maintain their composure, uphold discipline, and remain steadfast in their shared ideological principles.