The Welfare Officer of the Kwankwasiyya Movement in Kano State, Saddam Sani Umar, has dismissed claims that the movement and its leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, would be weakened by reports that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf may defect to the All Progressives Congress.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Trust, Umar described the speculation as exaggerated, insisting that Kwankwaso remains the most influential political figure in Kano and beyond.
Umar rejected the notion that Kwankwaso would emerge as the loser if Governor Yusuf defects, stressing that the former presidential candidate commands national relevance.
He said, “I do not agree with that. Kwankwaso is the leader of this movement across Nigeria, not just in Kano. To suggest he will be the loser is to ignore reality.
“No matter how strong a political party claims to be, they are all pursuing Kwankwaso. He is the only leader in this country who truly stands for the masses.”
Drawing on past political events in Kano, Umar warned that abandoning Kwankwaso’s political structure often carries consequences.
“Betraying Kwankwaso does not end well; history proves it. Look at the previous administration. Ganduje betrayed Kwankwaso and eventually lost,” he said.
He recalled that despite lacking grassroots political control, Kwankwaso delivered a victory for Yusuf in 2023.
“By 2023, even without a single councillor in government, Kwankwaso single-handedly brought in ‘Abba Gida Gida,’” Umar stated.
The Kwankwasiyya chieftain emphasised that Yusuf’s political rise was built entirely on Kwankwaso’s influence.
He further stated, “Abba had never contested for any position, not even as a councillor, in his life. He worked as Kwankwaso’s PA for over 30 years. Kwankwaso elevated him to commissioner and then to governor.
“To think Kwankwaso will lose out now is myopic.”
Asked whether the APC and Governor Yusuf could be the ultimate losers, Umar answered in the affirmative.
Umar said, “Yes, that is my position. They will lose in Kano. When the time comes, the people will turn out massively to vote for anyone Kwankwaso chooses.
“In Kano, if Kwankwaso chooses a dog, the people will vote for it because they trust him as a leader who stands by his people.”
Umar dismissed fears that the Kwankwasiyya Movement would collapse without control of state resources.
He added, “I don’t believe the movement will be affected. The other side may boast about government money and resources, but people are wise now.
“They will take your resources and use them to fight you. Many of those currently behind the governor are just hanging around to see what they can get.”
According to him, Kwankwaso had already advised loyalists holding government positions to remain calm and strategic.
“This is why Kwankwaso said that anyone who has spent their time and resources for this movement should not step down from their government positions, even if Abba moves to the APC.
“They should remain there as strong pillars on standby. They may stay quiet for now, but the time for action will come,” Umar said
When asked whether the strategy was to undermine the government from within, Umar denied such claims.
“We are not praying for open confrontation yet. As I speak to you, they haven’t even secured a waiver to move to another party because there is nothing solid on the ground,” he said.
He added that the APC’s interest was not truly in Yusuf but in Kwankwaso.
“The APC isn’t really looking for Gov Yusuf; they are looking for Kwankwaso. That is why you hear so many rumours,” he claimed.
Umar insisted that the Kwankwasiyya identity symbolised by the red cap remains intact despite internal disagreements.
“The red cap ideology remains. Even if they move to the APC, they wouldn’t dare remove the red cap for now.
“It would be the most dangerous thing they could do. The moment they take that cap off, they lose their political safety.
“You cannot tell the people of Kano that you are safe from Kwankwaso’s ideology; you would only be deceiving yourself,” he said.