Kwankwaso Blasts Kano Govt: Officials Forced To Sign APsC Defection Papers As Deputy Gov Stays Loyal

The leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has accused the Kano State Government of pressuring state officials and elected local government chairmen to sign forms indicating their defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Kano State Government, however, promptly rejected the claim, insisting that participation in any defection process is entirely voluntary.

Kwankwaso, in a post on his verified social media accounts, described the reports as “deeply disturbing,” alleging that officials were being forced to declare allegiance either to the Gandujiyya or Kwankwasiyya political camps.

“I have received several reports—some encouraging, but many very troubling—showing that the Kano State Government is compelling state officials and elected local government chairmen to sign documents aligning them either with Gandujiyya or Kwankwasiyya,” he said.

He called the development unfortunate and warned that such coercion could undermine democratic principles. “Our supporters should not take this lightly. It is shocking that a government would stoop this low,” Kwankwaso added.

Despite his criticism, he advised affected local government chairmen and councillors to comply if necessary to avoid victimisation. “At this stage, those being pressured may go ahead and sign the documents to prevent being targeted by the government,” he noted.

Kwankwaso also expressed gratitude to members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement for their unwavering loyalty and commitment.

Reacting to the allegation, Kano State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, denied the claims, asserting that no official is being forced to defect. Speaking to The PUNCH, he said, “What happened is simply that the party is inviting everyone—including government officials—who willingly wish to join the APC to do so. No one is being compelled, contrary to what has been reported.”

The accusation comes amid ongoing speculation that Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf may defect from the NNPP to the APC ahead of the next general elections. Yusuf, elected in 2023 on the NNPP platform, is widely regarded as Kwankwaso’s political protégé, and the rumours of defection are believed to have strained their relationship.

Meanwhile, Kano State Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo has reaffirmed his loyalty to Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya Movement. Sources told The PUNCH that Gwarzo, who returned from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday after performing the lesser Hajj, visited Kwankwaso at his Miller Road residence in Kano shortly after his arrival.

“One of the key reasons for the visit was to personally reaffirm the deputy governor’s loyalty and commitment to the party and its ideology,” a party source said.

Other senior party figures, including Commissioner for Science and Technology Yusuf Kofar Mata, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Political Affairs Sunusi Surajo Kwankwaso, and NNPP Kano State factional chairman Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, are also reported to have pledged support for Kwankwaso.

A senior NNPP official said, “This clearly shows that key figures within the government and party remain firmly aligned with Kwankwaso despite the ongoing defection rumours.”

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