NNPP Debunks Defection Rumours, Says Kwankwaso Never Held Talks With Tinubu Over APC Move

 

The New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, has dismissed reports suggesting that its national leader and former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, held negotiations with President Bola Tinubu or made demands ahead of a planned defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, the NNPP described the reports as false and misleading, insisting that Kwankwaso has never considered joining the ruling party.

Johnson said the claims were part of a deliberate attempt by political actors to tarnish Kwankwaso’s image and weaken his political influence.

According to him, Kwankwaso has not met with President Tinubu or any APC representatives to discuss defection, noting that the last meeting between both leaders took place in January 2024 and did not involve any conversation about switching parties.

“It is regrettable that such falsehoods are being pushed by individuals who claim to be authoritative sources and are even published as major news stories,” Johnson said.

He added that those behind the rumours were likely politicians who had their own plans to defect to the APC and were projecting their intentions onto the NNPP leader.

The party further accused certain political elites of sponsoring media narratives aimed at undermining Kwankwaso and frustrating possible future alliances that could alter the current political equation.

Johnson described a recent report explaining why Kwankwaso’s alleged defection failed as baseless, calling it a sponsored publication designed to discredit him.

He maintained that Kwankwaso remains committed to the NNPP and continues to enjoy strong grassroots support across the country.

The NNPP urged Nigerians to disregard the defection stories and treat them as political propaganda.