Why Kwankwaso’s Last-Minute APC Defection Bid Collapsed

Why Kwankwaso’s Last-Minute APC Defection Bid Collapsed

Fresh details have emerged on why the reported last-minute attempt by former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) failed.

Credible political sources disclosed that Kwankwaso held a private meeting in Lagos on Thursday with former Osun State Governor and APC founding leader, Chief Bisi Akande, as part of renewed political calculations ahead of possible Kano political realignments.

According to the source, Kwankwaso used the discreet meeting to request Akande’s intervention in securing a direct, one-on-one meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the aim of negotiating the terms of his defection to the APC.

The former NNPP presidential candidate was reportedly keen on engaging the President personally, amid rising speculation that his political protégé and incumbent Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, may also be considering a move from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling party.

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However, Akande was said to have turned down the request, stressing that he could not circumvent established APC party structures. He reportedly informed Kwankwaso that negotiations involving high-profile political figures are handled by a special APC committee, rather than through private presidential meetings.

The committee, according to Akande, is chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, with key members including Imo State Governor and Progressive Governors’ Forum Chairman, Hope Uzodinma, and National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Kwankwaso was advised to submit himself to the committee’s process, but sources revealed that the former governor rejected the option, a move that ultimately stalled and collapsed the defection talks.

Political analysts believe Kwankwaso’s failed bid was driven by a strategic desire to negotiate his entry into the APC ahead of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, amid speculation of imminent political shifts in Kano State.

With the APC talks now said to have broken down, Newstrends gathered that Kwankwaso may instead be considering a move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

As of the time of filing this report, Kwankwaso and Chief Bisi Akande had yet to issue official statements on the reported meeting.

Why Kwankwaso’s Last-Minute APC Defection Bid Collapsed