Factional Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State, Jibril Doguwa, has suggested that the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, could be on his way back to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking in an interview with Sunday Punch, Doguwa pointed to the recent visit of Kwankwasiyya stalwart, Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa as a possible sign of political realignment.
Naijaonpoint reports that Doguwa said, “There is a possibility that Kwankwaso wants to go back to the APC. No Kwankwasiyya member would meet Tinubu without the knowledge or approval of Kwankwaso.”
Doguwa dismissed suggestions that Kwankwaso’s criticisms of President Tinubu’s rule out future collaboration.
“Being a critic of Tinubu doesn’t mean Kwankwaso can’t work with him. In politics, there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests. Maybe he’s just trying to remind the President of his responsibilities as a leader,” he noted.
The factional NNPP chairman emphasised that while Kwankwasiyya loyalists are still regarded as members of the NNPP, the party could survive with or without Kwankwaso.
“We still recognise members of the Kwankwasiyya movement as NNPP members. But we will remain in the NNPP with or without Kwankwaso. There is no prominent politician in Nigeria who doesn’t have a record of switching parties,” Doguwa added.
Ogun NNPP Chieftain Counters Defection Claims
Reacting to Doguwa’s statement, an NNPP chieftain in Ogun State, Femi Aina, dismissed claims that Kwankwaso was considering a return to APC, insisting that the former Kano governor remains committed to his presidential ambition.
Aina said, “In the NNPP, we have an open-door policy. If you align with our ideology, we are ready to work with you. But for now, we are standing alone. Kwankwaso is looking ahead to become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we are with him all the way.”
Aina further downplayed the political strength of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, arguing that the NNPP’s upcoming manifesto would position it strongly for the 2027 elections.
He said, “The APC is entrenched today, and to remove them from power, you need a completely different blueprint. So far, those in the coalition promising change haven’t offered anything new. Atiku is not a threat. By the time we release our new manifesto, Nigerians will see that we have the capacity to govern, and we have a leader who knows his onions.”
According to Aina, Kwankwaso’s strong record as Kano State governor will serve as a major advantage in future elections.
“Our overwhelming votes in Kano during the last election were based on his record as governor. We will capitalise on that to unseat people who promise big and deliver little,” Aina added.
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