A former Kano State Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Ilyasu Musa Kwankwaso, has urged President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be cautious about the possible defection of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Ilyasu Kwankwaso warned that allowing Senator Kwankwaso to join the APC could create division and conflict within the ruling party. He claimed that the former NNPP flagbearer is allegedly trying to gain favor with President Tinubu so he can secure a second term for his political ally, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, in 2027.
“We are aware of Kwankwaso’s efforts to get close to President Tinubu so that he can defect to the APC and make it easier for his governor to get re-elected,” Ilyasu Kwankwaso told journalists in Kano.
He acknowledged that Senator Kwankwaso has the right to join any political party but cautioned APC leaders to be mindful of his past political behavior, particularly allegations of betrayal.
“Tinubu should ask former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former President Goodluck Jonathan, and others who have suffered political betrayals from Kwankwaso,” he said.
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He further claimed that Senator Kwankwaso has a history of switching parties to suit his political interests. He recalled how the former Kano governor once supported Atiku Abubakar but later abandoned him, and how he initially backed Jonathan before helping to form the APC in 2015.
“History tells us that Kwankwaso worked with Atiku, but we all saw how that ended. He also convinced Jonathan that he was on his side, only to later leave him and support the APC merger in 2015,” Ilyasu Kwankwaso stated.
He added that Senator Kwankwaso left APC for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and later moved to NNPP, where he allegedly weakened Atiku’s chances in Kano during the 2023 presidential election.
“Kwankwaso reduced Atiku’s votes in Kano, but he still could not remain in PDP and later abandoned Tinubu as well,” he claimed.
The former commissioner warned that just as Kwankwaso had issues with former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, he could also face similar conflicts with President Tinubu in the future.
“The same way Kwankwaso had problems with Ganduje after winning the governorship in 2015, which made him leave APC for PDP and later NNPP, is the same way he will clash with Tinubu in 2027,” he predicted.
Ilyasu Kwankwaso’s remarks come amid growing speculation about Senator Kwankwaso’s next political move, as he reportedly seeks to align himself with the APC ahead of the next general election.