Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has accused the Kano State Government of forcing state functionaries and elected local government chairmen to sign documents signalling their departure from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Kano government, however, promptly rejected the claim, stating that any defection process is strictly voluntary.
Kwankwaso, writing on his verified social media pages, said the information reaching him was “worrying,” alleging that authorities were compelling officials to declare allegiance to either the Gandujiyya or Kwankwasiyya camps.
According to him, “I have been informed—some accounts reassuring and others troubling—that the Kano State Government is compelling officials and elected LG chairmen to sign forms declaring support for either Gandujiyya or Kwankwasiyya.”
He described the situation as disappointing and warned that such political coercion could weaken democratic ideals.
Kwankwaso urged his supporters to take the reports seriously, saying it was unacceptable for any government to descend to such tactics.
Despite his concerns, he advised any targeted officials to sign the documents if doing so would prevent retaliation or intimidation.
“If the pressure has escalated to this point, those being cornered into signing should do so to avoid any form of victimisation,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement for their continued dedication and loyalty.
Responding to the allegations, Kano State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, dismissed the claims. He clarified to The PUNCH that no individual was being compelled to defect to the APC.
“What happened is simply that our party encouraged anyone—whether in government or outside it—who genuinely wishes to join the APC to do so. There is no coercion involved,” Waiya stated.
Kwankwaso’s claims come at a time when rumours continue to circulate that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf may leave the NNPP for the APC ahead of the next election cycle.
Governor Yusuf, who won the 2023 election on the NNPP platform, is widely viewed as Kwankwaso’s political disciple. The speculation around his possible defection has reportedly created tension within the party.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has reaffirmed his loyalty to Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
Sources told The PUNCH that Gwarzo, who returned from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday after performing the lesser Hajj, visited Kwankwaso at his Miller Road residence in Kano shortly upon arrival.
A party insider revealed that the visit was largely aimed at personally reassuring Kwankwaso of the deputy governor’s continued allegiance and commitment to the party’s principles.
Other top government and party figures—including the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Yusuf Kofar Mata; the Governor’s Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Sunusi Surajo Kwankwaso; and factional NNPP chairman, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa—have reportedly also reaffirmed their support for Kwankwaso.
According to a senior NNPP official, these pledges signal that significant power blocs within the party and government remain aligned with Kwankwaso despite the ongoing speculation of defections.
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