The Kwankwasiyya Movement has dismissed claims that its leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, engaged in negotiations to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The clarification follows reports suggesting that Kwankwaso’s alleged talks with the APC fell through due to “excessive demands,” after Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s defection to the ruling party.
In a statement signed by the Movement’s spokesperson, Dr. Habibu Sale Mohammed, Kwankwasiyya described the reports as “speculative, false, and deliberately misleading.”
Dr. Sale said Senator Kwankwaso had never held discussions or negotiations with the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, or any intermediaries regarding defection.
“We state clearly, categorically, and without ambiguity that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has never engaged in negotiations, discussions, or meetings with the APC for defection. These claims are entirely false and baseless,” the statement read.
The Movement expressed concern over what it described as “the growing circulation of unverified reports and televised commentaries” suggesting that Kwankwaso made demands to join the APC. It warned that such narratives could mislead the public and tarnish reputations.
Kwankwasiyya also clarified that the last formal meeting between Kwankwaso and President Tinubu occurred in January 2024, stressing that defection, political bargaining, or party alignment were not discussed.
“Claims that Senator Kwankwaso made high demands or overreached himself are fabrications built on imaginary negotiations that never occurred,” the statement added.
The group further noted that Kwankwaso’s interactions with political leaders across party lines were normal in a democratic system and should not be misconstrued as evidence of defections.
Alleging a coordinated attempt to discredit its leader, the Movement accused some political actors of using the reports to weaken Kwankwaso’s influence ahead of future political realignments.
Reaffirming its leader’s political stance, Kwankwasiyya described Kwankwaso as “a politician of discipline and principle whose strength comes from the masses rather than elite consensus.”
It urged Nigerians to disregard misleading reports, insisting, “There were no negotiations. There were no demands. There was no discussion of defection.”
