Strife Arises in Kano APC Due to Speculations Regarding Kwankwaso's Intended Defection
The chatter surrounding former Kano State Governor and 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, potentially jumping ship to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stirred a tempest among APC movers and shakers in Kano State. This seismic shift could reshape Kano's political landscape and have ripple effects on the broader Nigerian political scene.
A Double-Edged Sword for Kano APC
While the Kano APC leadership expressed a warm welcome to Kwankwaso, not all party heavyweights share the same sentiment. APC State Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, recently spoke to reporters about the party's readiness to welcome newcomers like Kwankwaso, but some APC chieftains and youth groups have publicly expressed reservations about the move.
The prospect of Kwankwaso joining the APC seems to cast a long shadow over the ambitions of those within the party eyeing the 2027 governorship seat. A party insider shared with The Guardian that the APC had been diligently building its foundation to challenge the NNPP-led government in the subsequent election cycle.
However, the growing influence of Senator Barau Jibrin, the Deputy Senate President, has reportedly been the driving force behind the APC's renaissance, particularly in the membership drive. Barau's prominent role in attracting key defectors to the party has been instrumental in the defections of Senator Kawu Sumaila, Kabiru Rurum, Abdullahi Sani Rogo, and Dr. Baffa Bichi.
Barau's Dominance: A Threat to Kwankwaso's Ambitions?
Barau's escalating power has put both the NNPP and Kwankwasiyya Movement on high alert ahead of the 2027 elections. Besides keeping the party united, Barau has managed to win over hundreds of NNPP and Kwankwasiyya loyalists to the APC.
However, sources close to Barau's camp are cautious about Kwankwaso's return, fearing it could create friction. If Kwankwaso does join, it might disrupt the delicate balance Barau has worked hard to maintain and potentially cause disruptions within the APC.
Is Kwankwaso Still a Force to Reckon With?
Despite the public endorsements, some APC insiders question Kwankwaso's relevance. Speaking after a meeting with the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, Yusuf Ata dismissed Kwankwaso as a spent force in Kano politics.
Meanwhile, the APC Youth and Students Council (KASASCO) in Kano expressed doubts about Kwankwaso's value to the party. The council director-general, Yahaya Kabo, argued that Kwankwaso's political influence has waned, and the APC is not a sanctuary for declining political forces.
A Matter of Acceptance: Ganduje vs. Kwankwaso?
Amidst these concerns, Ganduje expressed a willingness to embrace Kwankwaso if he decides to join the APC. "The APC is deepening and widening democracy," Ganduje said. "If he wants to join us, we can still have him in."
Yet, the NNPP in Kano has dismissed the rumors of Kwankwaso's defection as baseless. The state chairman, Dr. Hashimu Sulaiman Dungurawa, told The Guardian that there was no truth to the rumors, and if Kwankwaso did decide to switch parties, he would speak for himself.
In the political chessboard that is Kano, it's a waiting game to see whether Kwankwaso makes his move and how the pieces will shift in the ensuing power play.
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- The potential alliance between Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the All Progressives Congress (APC) could spark a significant transformation in the political landscape of Lagos, Naija, and the overall national politics, particularly as it pertains to policy-and-legislation and general-news.
- Amidst the APC leadership's welcoming spirit towards Kwankwaso, some party members in Lagos, including certain APC chieftains and youth groups, are expressing reservations about his potential inclusion, which might complicate election strategies for the party.
- Crime-and-justice concerns in Lagos deserve urgent attention as the APC in the city is preoccupied with local government primaries, which has led to the emergence of four chairmanship candidates. The political unrest might have subtle repercussions on the city's safety and justice system.
- APC Spokesperson Yinka Odumakin recently spoke on the party's response to critics, emphasizing that the APC has the right to counter all criticisms but is not losing sleep over ongoing coalition discussions, further illustrating the complex layering of politics within the party.
- The People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Kebbi State is vigilantly working to prevent the defecting of three senators to the APC, revealing tensions and conflicting loyalties within Nigerian politics.
- As the controversial Simon Ekpa's extradition claims have taken a U-turn, the Federal Government is advising against speculations, expressing a desire to maintain diplomatic relationships and uphold peace while navigating matters of war-and-conflicts.
