The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) appears divided and uncertain as negotiations with former Kano State Governor and NNPP national leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, have reportedly stalled over what party insiders describe as his “stringent conditions” and prolonged hesitation.
Multiple party sources told The Whistler that the APC leadership has suspended further talks with Kwankwaso and shifted the final decision to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is currently out of the country.
As a result of the deadlock, plans to formally receive Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, into the APC have been shelved indefinitely.
Governor Yusuf’s proposed defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the APC has already been postponed twice – on January 5 and January 12, 2026 – as negotiations with Kwankwaso, his political mentor, failed to reach a conclusion.
Kwankwaso, founder of the influential Kwankwasiyya Movement, has repeatedly stated that he is not opposed to rejoining the APC but insists on clear guarantees regarding his role, the future of the Kano State government, and the protection of his political structures.
Speaking at a public event in Kano, the former governor reiterated his stance.
“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. What will be the fate of our lawmakers and other supporters before we agree to defect?” he said.
Recalling past political experiences, Kwankwaso said his camp had previously contributed significantly to APC victories only to be sidelined afterward.
“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 asked.
He stressed that any return to the APC must be anchored on concrete agreements.
“I will not go to the APC blindly. I must be clearly informed of my role, the direction of the journey, and the fate of our plans for the common people,” he added.
Kwankwaso further insisted that no deal would be sealed without assurances that the Kwankwasiyya Movement and its political structures would be retained under any future APC arrangement in Kano.
“Up till now, no one has given me a clear assurance that we will be allowed to retain our government and continue with our political structure. I need to know where I stand,” he declared.
Highly placed APC sources, however, said Kwankwaso’s demands were far-reaching and difficult to accommodate.
A senior APC chieftain from the North-Central zone, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Whistler that meeting Kwankwaso’s conditions would require dismantling existing APC structures in Kano State.
“What Kwankwaso is asking for is essentially for all existing APC structures in Kano to be collapsed and placed under his control,” the source said.
According to him, such a move would put the party on a collision course with key Kano APC figures, including former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, and Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin.
“As a former national chairman, Ganduje is widely regarded as the leader of the APC in Kano. Then you have Senator Barau, the highest-ranking elected official from the state, who commands strong grassroots support and is widely believed to be eyeing the governorship in 2027 with the backing of the party leadership,” the source said.
He added that it was unrealistic to expect the APC to dismantle its structures for “one man who does not believe in sharing power.”
Political observers also pointed to the deep-rooted rivalry between Kwankwaso and Ganduje as a major obstacle to any reconciliation.
Multiple sources said it was unlikely both men could coexist peacefully under the same party platform, given years of political animosity.
Complicating the situation further are allegations that Kwankwaso may be planning to deny Governor Yusuf the NNPP’s 2027 ticket, having reportedly settled on another preferred candidate.
Analysts said this may have pushed Yusuf to explore defection to the APC as a political survival strategy.
However, insiders said the APC leadership has agreed to place Yusuf’s defection on hold until talks with Kwankwaso are resolved.
While Ganduje has reportedly been at the forefront of efforts to woo Governor Yusuf into the APC, some insiders believe his enthusiasm is driven more by a desire to undermine Kwankwaso than by party interests.