Tinubu’s Minister, APC Leaders Reject Kwankwaso’s Planned Defection

Several leaders of the Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Ata, have rejected the planned defection of former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the APC.

Naijaonpoint reports that the ministers’ rejection followed a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, with APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, who is also a former Governor of Kano State.

Ata clarified that Kwankwaso’s influence in Kano is fading, describing his iconic red cap, once a symbol of his political presence, as “gradually going extinct” in the state.

During the meeting, Ata emphasised that unless Ganduje, who is the leader of the APC in Kano, personally approves Kwankwaso’s entry into the party, the former governor remains unwelcome.

He further stressed the declining political influence of Kwankwaso, particularly in Kano, pointing out the drastic reduction in the number of people wearing the red cap, which had once been a signature of his supporters.

He said, “Anybody who visits Kano State even today will see that there are a lot of changes. It is hard for you to find red caps in Kano. Before now, if you visit the mosque, you would see many red caps, but today you can visit a mosque and if 5000 people come for prayers, you cannot see 20 red caps in Kano.”

Ata also assured President Bola Tinubu of a convincing victory in Kano in the next elections, praising Ganduje for his tireless efforts in securing the APC’s foothold in the state.

He reaffirmed that the APC in Kano is unified, even at the grassroots level, and that Kwankwaso no longer holds sway in the region.

Ata bluntly stated that Kwankwaso’s defection to the APC was not a result of any invitation from the party but rather an attempt by the former governor to revive his political career, which Ata described as “dying.”

He warned that accommodating Kwankwaso in the APC might lead to internal conflicts in Kano.

“Kwankwaso is no longer relevant in Kano. He is only coming to APC because he is going to die politically. I assure you, even President Tinubu has all the security records from the grassroots in Kano. He is no longer attractive,” Ata added.

When asked if he supported Kwankwaso’s inclusion, Ata responded firmly, “Personally, I won’t be happy, unless it is a decision from our father (Ganduje) to accommodate him. I was in the House of Assembly in 1999 when Kwankwaso was the governor. So I know Kwankwaso very well.”

In contrast to Ata’s outright rejection, Ganduje took a more measured approach, suggesting that the APC might consider welcoming Kwankwaso.

He likened Kwankwaso’s political situation to a fish running out of water, a metaphor for his waning influence. Ganduje said, “When a fish is running out of water, that is exactly what is happening. If the water is drying, the fish has to find its way to water. So, that is what is happening. I will not say we are not ready to welcome him.”

Ganduje, however, emphasized that it would be morally right to accommodate Kwankwaso, who has been abandoned by his supporters.

He said, “When you see your son running to where he would get shelter and you are a big brother in a big home, I think it is morally right to accommodate him. So we cannot say we cannot accommodate him because a friend in need is a friend indeed.”