Kwankwaso Sets Tough Conditions for APC Return

By Emmanuel Kwada

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State and National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has declared that he will only consider rejoining the All Progressives Congress (APC) if firm assurances are provided regarding the future of the Kano State government and the protection of his loyal supporters.

Kwankwaso made the statement on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, while addressing leaders and supporters from Rano and Dawakin Tofa Local Government Areas at his Miller Road residence in Kano.

The meeting also included members of the influential Kwankwasiyya movement, who reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to him and the NNPP.

“I didn’t say I won’t join APC, but we must first be clearly assured of the future of the Kano State government before we join the APC,” Kwankwaso told the gathering.

He emphasized that any political realignment must safeguard the interests of NNPP structures, including lawmakers, party officials, and grassroots members who form the core of the Kwankwasiyya movement.

The former two-term governor recalled past experiences where his group contributed significantly to forming governments but was later sidelined.

“In the past, we joined and contributed to forming the government, but later we were abandoned. That was why we left the party. Have they now changed their position toward us?” he questioned, stressing that no concrete guarantees have been received so far to ensure the preservation of political structures or continuity in Kano’s governance.

The remarks come amid ongoing political speculation in Kano, including rumors of potential defections within the NNPP, particularly involving Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Kwankwaso has previously distanced himself from endorsing any such moves and has urged his supporters to prioritize long-term safeguards over short-term pressures.

The meeting drew high-profile attendees, including Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, Commissioner for Science and Technology Yusuf Kofar Mata, suspended NNPP State Chairman Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, and other senior party figures.

Their public display of loyalty to Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya movement highlighted his enduring influence in the state despite internal tensions.

Political analysts view Kwankwaso’s position as a strategic stance aimed at securing maximum leverage ahead of the 2027 general elections.

By conditioning any potential return to the APC on explicit protections for his political base, Kwankwaso appears intent on avoiding past marginalization while keeping options open for future alliances.

Kwankwaso, who ran as the NNPP presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, remains a pivotal figure in Kano politics, where his Kwankwasiyya movement commands significant grassroots support. The APC has not yet publicly responded to his latest conditions.