Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and its 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed readiness to consider a political alliance with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), but insisted that such a move would only happen under what he called “strong promises.”
Kwankwaso made the remarks while hosting Buhari Bakwana, a former political adviser to ex-Kano State governor Abdullahi Ganduje, alongside APC representatives from all 44 local government areas of Kano State at his Miller Road residence in Kano.
The former governor recalled his central role, alongside other political heavyweights, in the formation of the APC in 2013, noting that he endured political persecution in the process.
“Nobody in this country will tell me the burden we carried in creating APC.
“We were the ones who led its formation, and we were the first set of seven governors to declare support for it. ICPC, EFCC and the police were all used against me then, just to frustrate our plans,” he said.
Kwankwaso stressed that any discussion about a merger or his possible return to the APC must be backed with clear benefits for the NNPP.
“If you are asking us to join APC, you must tell us what NNPP will gain. We have gubernatorial candidates across the states and full structures nationwide. What will you offer them if we join?” he asked.
Reflecting on past alliances, the NNPP leader accused both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of reneging on agreements.
“Eight years of APC under the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari gave us nothing, not even appreciation.
“In PDP, we asked for just a zonal party chairman, but they refused. We left peacefully and today we are strong and have integrity,” he said.
Kwankwaso maintained that while the NNPP is open to fresh negotiations, it would not allow itself to be exploited.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us,” he declared.
