The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has dismissed reports claiming that its national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, held talks with the All Progressives Congress (APC) over a possible defection.
The party said Kwankwaso never engaged President Bola Tinubu or the APC in any discussion about joining the ruling party, contrary to widespread speculation.
Reports had emerged following the defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, to the APC, suggesting that the NNPP fell out with Kwankwaso over what were described as his “high demands” during alleged negotiations with the ruling party.
Fueling the speculation, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Global Investment and Trade Company, Baba Yusuf, stated during an interview on Arise TV that Kwankwaso overestimated his political influence in the reported talks.
“I will agree with the second outcome you mentioned — that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso overreached,” Yusuf said.
However, reacting to the claims, the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, described the reports as false and misleading.
In an interview with *Sunday PUNCH*, Johnson insisted that Kwankwaso never contemplated defecting to the APC.
“It is a blatant lie that Kwankwaso made demands or entered into negotiations with the APC or President Tinubu for defection. That never happened,” he said.
He added that Kwankwaso’s last meeting with the President was in 2024 and had nothing to do with party politics.
“Those spreading these falsehoods are deliberately trying to discredit him because they do not want him to align with other opposition forces,” Johnson stated.
Describing Kwankwaso as a principled politician, the NNPP spokesman said the former Kano State governor remains focused on serving the interests of Nigerians.
“Kwankwaso is a man of integrity who conducts his politics with the general public in mind,” he added.
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