“Doors Not Closed” on Kwankwaso Joining APC – Jibrin

A senior member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Abdulmumin Jibrin, has stated that the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, remains open to joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Jibrin, a member of the House of Representatives, made the comments on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, noting that “The doors have not closed” on discussions. He elaborated, “As far as that is concerned, he has always maintained that his doors are open, our doors are open for discussions. Everything is a possibility.”

The remarks come as political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections intensify. However, Jibrin suggested that internal resistance from vested interests within the Kano APC, who may feel threatened by the arrival of a potent political force like the Kwankwasiyya movement, could be a stumbling block. “Even within the APC in Kano, you may have a situation where some vested interest won’t want us to come in,” he said.

While Jibrin recently met with President Bola Tinubu, sparking defection rumors, he did not confirm his own departure from the NNPP, only stating, “Well, I keep saying everything is a possibility.” He asserted that, as a member of the Kwankwasiyya movement, he does not need Kwankwaso’s permission to leave the party, stating, “No, at my age, I think I’m old enough to make decisions for myself.”

The NNPP has previously denied rumors of Kwankwaso defecting to another party. In the 2023 election, Kwankwaso finished fourth with 1,496,687 votes.