The New Nigeria Peoples Party has rejected claims that its national leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, held talks with the All Progressives Congress over a possible defection.
The party said Kwankwaso never engaged President Bola Tinubu in any discussion about joining the APC, contrary to reports circulating in some quarters.
Speculation over Kwankwaso’s political future followed the reported defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, to the APC. Some reports claimed the development caused a rift between the NNPP and its leader, with allegations that Kwankwaso made what were described as “high demands.”
The Group Chief Executive Officer of Global Investment and Trade Company, Baba Yusuf, added to the speculation during an interview with Arise TV on Friday, where he alleged that Kwankwaso overestimated his political influence in talks linked to the APC.
“I will agree with the second outcome you mentioned — that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso overreached,” Yusuf said.
Reacting to the reports, the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, dismissed the claims and insisted that no such discussions ever took place.
Speaking in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Johnson said Kwankwaso neither sought nor considered defection to the ruling party.
“It is a blatant lie that Kwankwaso made demands or entered into negotiations with the APC or Tinubu for his defection to the party. That never happened.
“The last time he met with the President was in 2024, and there was no discussion about defecting to the APC. Those spreading these lies are doing so deliberately to discredit him (Kwankwaso). They do not want him to join other opposition forces.
“Kwankwaso is a man of integrity and plays his politics well, having the interest of the general public at heart,” Johnson said.
The party urged the public to disregard reports suggesting internal conflict or secret talks with the APC, describing them as attempts to undermine Kwankwaso’s political standing.
