The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has denied claims that its National Leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, engaged in negotiations to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This statement comes in light of speculation following the defection of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf to the APC, which raised questions about Kwankwaso’s political standing.
In an interview, Baba Yusuf, Group CEO of Global Investment and Trade Company, suggested that Kwankwaso misjudged his political leverage during purported discussions with the APC, implying that his demands may have been unrealistic. However, NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, categorically refuted these claims, stating that Kwankwaso never contemplated leaving the party.
Johnson emphasized that the last meeting between Kwankwaso and President Bola Tinubu occurred in 2024, and there were no discussions about defecting. He characterized the rumors as deliberate misinformation aimed at undermining Kwankwaso’s reputation and influence in opposition politics.
Johnson affirmed Kwankwaso’s integrity and commitment to serving the public, positioning him as a steadfast opposition figure despite ongoing political maneuverings. This public denial reflects the party’s efforts to maintain its unity and counter external pressures in a rapidly shifting political landscape.