The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has issued a strong rebuttal against widespread media reports suggesting its national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, engaged in defection talks with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement released on Thursday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, the NNPP categorically denied that Kwankwaso ever negotiated to join the APC or demanded a 20 per cent share of the party’s structure as a condition.
Johnson described the stories as “false,” “misleading,” and “outright fabrications” being prominently published to damage the former Kano State governor’s reputation. He expressed concern over what he termed a coordinated media campaign aimed at creating disaffection and tarnishing Kwankwaso’s image.
“There was no meeting at any time between Senator Kwankwaso and President Bola Tinubu, nor with any representatives linked to the APC, where issues of defection or negotiations were discussed,” Johnson stated.
He specifically addressed a detailed report on the alleged failed defection, calling it “entirely fictitious” and stressing that “no such engagement ever took place.”
The party spokesperson linked the resurgence of the rumours to recent political realignments in Kano State. He dismissed as baseless the narrative that the APC broke off talks with Kwankwaso over excessive demands.
“Senator Kwankwaso remains firmly in the NNPP and has no plans to join the ruling party,” Johnson reaffirmed.
The NNPP’s statement serves as a direct response to recent commentary, including from political figure Baba Yusuf, who suggested in a television interview that Kwankwaso had miscalculated his political influence during alleged dealings with the APC an assertion the party has now firmly rejected.
The party has urged the public and media to disregard the reports, insisting its leader is focused on strengthening the NNPP.
