NNPP Dismisses Reports of Kwankwaso’s Defection Talks with APC

The National Secretary of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dipo Olayoku, has dismissed reports suggesting that the party’s former presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, is holding talks with the All Progressives Congress (APC) over a possible defection.

Olayoku said there was never a time Kwankwaso discussed joining the ruling party, describing the reports as unfounded and misleading.

Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, the NNPP chieftain said Kwankwaso’s last meeting with President Bola Tinubu took place in January 2024, shortly after the Supreme Court ruling on the Kano State governorship election.

“I can say authoritatively and categorically that Rabiu Kwankwaso has never discussed with APC as far as joining them,” Olayoku said.

“The last time he met with the president was January 2024, immediately after the Supreme Court ruling, where he and the governor went to see the president,” he added.

According to him, the visit followed rumours of possible pressure on the Supreme Court ahead of its verdict, noting that after the court affirmed the NNPP’s mandate, Kwankwaso and Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, paid a courtesy visit to the president.

“And since then, I can tell you authoritatively that there has not been any discussion between him and APC,” Olayoku said.

He also recounted an instance which he said illustrated the extent of propaganda surrounding Kwankwaso’s alleged defection.

“There was a day we were having a meeting in Kwankwaso’s house, a very small group like a think tank. The leader was seated directly in front of me,” he said.

“He was showing me something on Facebook claiming Kwankwaso was in Aso Rock having a meeting with the president while we were with him. That’s the extent to which they can go with propaganda,” Olayoku stated.

The NNPP national secretary further dismissed reports suggesting that Kwankwaso had travelled for medical reasons as part of alleged secret engagements, describing such claims as baseless.

“There was a time they were on television saying Kwankwaso was doing medicals, as if he was a footballer, when this man was not talking to them at all,” he added.