Kwankwaso Rejects APC Defection Rumor, Labels Politicians Who Defect as Traitors.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
Northern Bureau Chief
May 11, 2025
KANO, NIGERIA — In a bold and uncompromising declaration, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and architect of the Kwankwasiyya movement, has firmly denied rumors linking him to a defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing such political maneuvers as “a betrayal of trust and a moral failure.”
Speaking during a packed press conference in Kano, the political stronghold of his movement, Kwankwaso dismissed the widespread speculations of his defection as a deliberate attempt by political opponents to sow confusion and weaken the resolve of his loyal followers across the country.
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“Let me be very clear — I am not, and will not be, joining the APC,” Kwankwaso said forcefully. “I remain committed to the vision of the NNPP and to the millions of Nigerians who believe in a new political direction for this country.”
He went further to call out politicians who treat political parties as mere platforms for personal gain, likening them to traitors who abandon the very people they swore to serve. According to him, political defection — especially when motivated by ambition or personal reward — is the “greatest political sin” and an affront to democracy.
“These are individuals who rode on the backs of the people to power, only to turn around and betray them. That is not politics; that is opportunism, and it must be condemned by every Nigerian who values integrity in leadership,” Kwankwaso stated, drawing loud applause from supporters.
Kwankwaso, a two-term governor of Kano State and former Minister of Defence, emphasized that the NNPP represents the voice of ordinary Nigerians — the students, the farmers, the traders, and the unemployed youth — who have been sidelined by elite-driven politics. He argued that his political ideology, rooted in grassroots empowerment and equity, is incompatible with the values of the APC.
“Why should I abandon a movement that is built on service, sacrifice, and justice for a party that represents everything we are fighting against?” he asked rhetorically. “This is not just about party affiliation; it’s about choosing between the people and the power elite. I stand with the people.”
The defection rumors gained momentum following recent high-profile movements between parties as the 2025 election season heats up. Analysts suggest that such narratives are part of a calculated strategy to undermine Kwankwaso’s growing influence, particularly in Northern Nigeria where he enjoys an enormous grassroots following.
Kwankwaso, however, remains undeterred, vowing to resist political pressure and uphold the ideals of the Kwankwasiyya movement — a movement built on red caps, red pens, and red hearts symbolizing education, social justice, and servant leadership.
“We are not just a political party; we are a political revolution,” he declared. “And no rumor or threat can stop what we have started.”
As the 2025 general elections draw nearer, Kwankwaso’s firm rejection of defection and his unwavering loyalty to the NNPP is expected to consolidate his image as a principled leader — a rare figure in Nigeria’s tumultuous political landscape, where party-switching has become a norm rather than an exception.
His message to fellow politicians was direct and powerful: “Nigeria needs patriots, not political merchants. If you cannot stand with the people when it’s tough, then you don’t deserve to stand with them at all.”
