Kwankwaso’s Demands Derail Political Deal With Tinubu APC

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Negotiations between President Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and former New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso reportedly collapsed due to Kwankwaso’s excessive and unrealistic demands.

Gossip News Now reports that Kwankwaso was approached to join the APC because of the perceived influence of his red-cap movement, Kwankwasiyya, and the NNPP’s performance in the 2023 general election.

APC insiders told THISDAY that the presidency saw Kwankwaso as a strategic gateway into Kano and parts of the North-west. President Tinubu held several meetings with him, particularly in Abuja, as discussions progressed.

Sources revealed that the talks broke down over demands deemed unreasonable, including control of up to 20 percent of the APC’s national structure, a vice-presidential slot, and guarantees extending to the 2031 political cycle.

Senior APC officials said these requests raised immediate concerns, especially with plans for the 2027 elections already underway. The demand for 20 percent of the party structure was cited as the main dealbreaker.

“One of the sticking points was the 20 percent claim,” a source familiar with the negotiation said. “Even President Tinubu has not asked for a share of the APC structure. The vice-presidential position was never on the table, and discussions about 2031 were premature.”

Another top APC official added that Kwankwaso’s insistence on long-term influence, including succession plans extending to 2031, went beyond reasonable expectations. “He was clearly overreaching,” the official said.

When it became clear that progress with Kwankwaso was stalled, APC and the presidency shifted focus to strengthening ties with Kano Governor Abba Yusuf. The strategy aimed to leverage incumbency, federal support, and direct engagement rather than prolong negotiations with Kwankwaso.

“That was the turning point,” an insider said. “Once it became evident that Kwankwaso no longer controlled the entire Kano political landscape, especially with rifts between him and his former political ally, it made more sense to engage the governor directly.”

TAGS: All Progressives Congress (APC