Former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said he is still struggling to come to terms with the defection of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the All Progressives Congress APC.
Speaking in an interview monitored by thenewsng247 on BBC Hausa Service, Kwankwaso described the defection of Yusuf, who is both his political protégé and son in law, as shocking and deeply disappointing.
According to him, “Frankly, it came as a big shock not just to me but to many Nigerians. Even now, it still feels unreal. Sometimes I lie down and feel like it was all a dream. The way it happened left many people confused.”
Kwankwaso dismissed claims that the defection was part of any political agreement, insisting there was no understanding or prior discussion between him and the governor or any other political actor.
“There was no arrangement whatsoever. Even I find it difficult to believe how events unfolded,” he said.
Reacting to Yusuf’s claim that his decision was based on consultations and political realities, Kwankwaso said the issues presented to him could have been resolved through dialogue and did not justify abandoning the mandate given by NNPP members and the people of Kano.
“No political party is free of grievances anywhere in the world. What matters is how those issues are managed. Dialogue was possible, but unfortunately that path was not taken,” he stated.
Kwankwaso expressed strong confidence that Governor Yusuf would eventually regret his decision to leave the NNPP.
“Without any doubt, time will reveal the consequences. Even if he does not return, he will regret abandoning the NNPP,” he said.
On Yusuf’s alignment with the political camp of former governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Kwankwaso said the move remains difficult for him to comprehend, given the political history in Kano State.
“For someone to leave Kwankwasiyya and hand over its mandate to the Gandujiyya camp without strong justification is deeply disappointing,” he added.
Reacting to the celebration by APC leaders, including Ganduje publicly raising Yusuf’s hand, Kwankwaso described it as premature and warned that those celebrating now may soon face political disappointment.
Addressing claims of instability within the NNPP, Kwankwaso dismissed them as false, insisting the party remains peaceful and united.
“To the best of my knowledge, there is no political party in Nigeria today that is more stable than the NNPP,” he said.
On the future of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, he warned those who left the party but still claim loyalty to the ideology, saying one cannot abandon the movement and still claim ownership of its principles.
Asked whether the political development would affect his personal relationship with Governor Yusuf, who is married to his daughter, Kwankwaso said time would tell.
He also rejected suggestions that the defection marked the end of his political relevance, describing the situation as a catalyst that has strengthened his resolve.
“This is not the end of my political journey. Kano still belongs to the NNPP, and the Kwankwasiyya Movement remains strong,” he said.
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