The national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has reacted to reports that Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State may defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a betrayal after the struggle to reclaim the state from the party.
Kwankwaso, who spoke while addressing supporters, said the reports came as a shock to the leadership and members of the movement.
“This is a lesson to all of us. We thought everyone had understood. We never expected betrayal,” he said.
He added that information available to him indicated that plans for the defection had already been set in motion.
“As you also heard, they were supposed to decamp on Monday. I also heard that it has now been postponed,” Kwankwaso said.
The NNPP leader urged supporters to take non-confrontational steps to discourage the move.
“We want to give you an assignment: continue praying for them. Secondly, if any of you are in contact with them, tell them to stop,” he said.
Kwankwaso warned that such a decision would have negative political consequences for Kano State and the movement.
“If they go ahead, people will say Ganduje is better, despite how bad he was,” he said.
Describing the development as deeply painful, he lamented the possible outcome of the defection.
“The most painful thing is that after everything we did to rescue Kano from Ganduje and the APC, you have now handed the governorship back to him free of charge,” he said.
Kwankwaso, however, noted that the defection had not yet occurred and expressed optimism that those involved might reconsider their decision.
“It has not been done yet. We hope they will understand. This is where they are loved,” he said.
