Kwankwaso advises Kano appointees to ‘play along’ amid alleged pressure to join APC
The national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has advised political appointees in the Kano State Government to “play along” in the face of mounting pressure to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kwankwaso’s remarks, captured in a viral video released Tuesday night, come amid claims that officials serving under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf are being compelled to endorse a planned shift to the APC.
The former governor expressed concern over what he described as coercion targeting local government chairmen, councillors, secretaries, and other political appointees.
“I am dismayed by the government’s decision to put pressure on local government chairmen and councillors, secretaries, and other appointees to choose between Kwankwasiyya and Gandujiyya,” Kwankwaso said, referring to his political movement and the faction associated with former governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
He alleged that lists of party loyalists were being compiled to strengthen negotiations ahead of the governor’s anticipated defection to the APC.
Kwankwaso claimed that many appointees, caucus members, and lawmakers were under intense pressure to append their signatures in support of the move.
“The appointees are in a dire situation. They are disturbed since the issue of going to Tinubu and Ganduje’s party came up.
”Some have called me in distress, some are hospitalised, while others are having sleepless nights,” he said.
After consultations with party leaders and supporters, Kwankwaso revealed that the NNPP advised affected officials to cooperate temporarily to protect their livelihoods and reduce tensions in the state.
“If signing the loyalty list will take them out of the distressing situation they found themselves in and douse the tension in the state, so be it,” he stated, emphasising that the 2027 electioneering period has not yet begun.
He assured NNPP supporters that the party’s grassroots structure remained strong and will mobilize when the time comes.
“We believe it is not yet the electioneering period of 2027, and our supporters wherever they are will show up in the time of need,” Kwankwaso said.
Reflecting on previous political cycles in Kano, he noted that Kwankwasiyya supporters had endured setbacks between 2015 and 2019 but remained patient and ultimately prevailed in 2023.
“Kwankwasiyya was built on loyalty. Whoever chooses to be disloyal, the only option is to leave,” he said, describing the political contest in Kano as a struggle “between light and dark.”
