Kano APC To Welcome Kwankwaso, Other Defectors, But With Clear Conditions

The Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed readiness to welcome the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and other potential defectors — but under specific conditions.

Addressing journalists at the APC secretariat on Friday, the party’s state chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, responded to growing speculation that Kwankwaso, a prominent figure in a now-expelled faction of the NNPP, may be considering a return to the ruling party.

Abbas confirmed that preparations were already in motion to accommodate new entrants, stating that the party had directed its ward chapters to open registration for defectors from any political or social background, as long as it aligns with the APC’s constitution.

According to Abbas, “APC as a political institution in its renewed hope agenda has embarked on the project of receiving decampees from all political parties. Of recent, the attention of the party has been drawn to speculations of the impending decamping of the leader of the expelled faction of the NNPP, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, into the party. This is a welcome development, especially given the fact that the APC remains his last political refuge, as he has successfully destroyed his relations with all other political groupings in the country.”

He noted that while the party is open to welcoming new members, the integrity of the existing structure and constitutionally elected officials at various levels would remain intact.

“Without prejudice to our desire as a party to welcome new entrants and in respect of the constitutional rights of citizens to belong to political parties of their choice, we wish to state our position as a state chapter of our great party in Kano State. We have already directed our ward chapters to open registers for new decampees, irrespective of their political and social stature, and this is in line with our party’s constitution,” he said.

“We advise all those desirous of joining our esteemed party to go to their respective wards and register. Also, we want to assure our elected party officials from the ward, local government, senatorial and state levels that they will continue to function as provided by the tenure of their office in the party constitution. For the purpose of seeking any future party or elective position, any old or new entrants shall be free to exercise his/her constitutional rights of voting or being voted for without any special preference.”

The chairman further warned that some of those seeking entry into the party may be driven by ulterior motives such as evading justice or reviving their dwindling political relevance.

“We are fully aware that some people are desperate to join the APC because they have scuttled their political goodwill and have become political lepers in the national scheme of things and are looking to the APC for political relevance.

“We are also aware that some politicians are trying to run away from accounting for their corrupt misdeeds both in government and party administration and seeking refuge in the APC to escape from the fangs of anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and ICPC,” he noted.

“However, joining APC as a political party is not a panacea for escaping from their past sins. For the avoidance of doubt, let me emphasise that the APC as a political party does not and will not encourage or promote the existence of cult-like associations in the name of political activities or groupings.”

In his closing remarks, Abbas demanded public apologies from those who previously attacked the party’s leadership.

“On a final note, we unequivocally call on all those prospective decampees who have earlier made derogatory statements against our leaders, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his deputy Senator Kashim Shettima, to offer a public apology as a sign of remorse and respect for future relationships,” he said.