Strong indications suggest that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Kano State governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), is negotiating a return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Sources inside the ruling party revealed that Kwankwaso has already sent a formal letter to the APC national secretariat in Abuja.
The letter reportedly outlines conditions for his defection, including ensuring that his protégé, Kano State governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, secures the APC ticket in the next governorship election.
Kwankwaso is also said to be demanding a top role in the federal government under President Bola Tinubu.
Although APC officials in Abuja dismissed reports of the letter as “speculation,” insiders confirmed that discussions between Kwankwaso and APC national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, have reached an advanced stage.
Why the Move Matters
Kwankwaso remains a political heavyweight in Kano, a state with one of the highest voting populations in Nigeria.
Analysts say he commands as much as 40 percent of Kano’s votes, making him a critical player in the 2027 elections.
The presidency, aware of this influence, has been quietly pushing to secure his loyalty.
The APC lost Kano to Kwankwaso’s NNPP in 2023, when Abba Kabir Yusuf defeated APC’s Nasir Gawuna.
Bringing Kwankwaso back into the ruling fold would be a strategic win for Tinubu as Kano is seen as a battleground state alongside Lagos, Kaduna, Rivers, and Oyo.
Possible Rift with Ganduje’s Camp
However, the move risks reopening wounds within the APC in Kano. Kwankwaso’s long-standing rivalry with former governor Abdullahi Ganduje could complicate matters.
Ganduje, now sidelined after being removed as APC national chairman, still has loyalists who may view Kwankwaso’s return as a direct threat to their influence.
A History of Party Switches
If confirmed, this would be Kwankwaso’s fourth major defection.
He started with the PDP, served two terms as Kano governor, joined the APC ahead of the 2015 elections, returned to the PDP before 2019, and later built the NNPP into a formidable force ahead of 2023.
His return to APC would mark his second time aligning with the ruling party.
Kwankwaso’s defection could weaken Nigeria’s already fragile opposition.
The NNPP has been struggling with internal leadership crises, while the PDP, Labour Party, and SDP face their own divisions.
With the ruling APC actively courting defectors, critics warn that Nigeria risks sliding toward one-party dominance.
Political watchers say Kwankwaso’s move could also revive speculations that Tinubu may consider him as a potential running mate in 2027, should Vice President Kashim Shettima be dropped to boost northern votes.
For now, both the APC and Kwankwaso remain silent on the official details.
But insiders suggest an announcement could come soon, reshaping the political landscape ahead of 2027.
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