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Tag: Kwankwaso

Kwankwaso’s Son Steps Down As Kano State Commissioner For Youth And Sports Development

Wale busari03 mins

Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, son of former NNPP presidential candidate Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has stepped down as Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development. He made the announcement on Monday through a statement on his official Facebook page, formally resigning from the State Executive Council. In the statement, he expressed gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the opportunity to serve. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation as Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, and member of the Kano State Executive Council,” Kwankwaso said. He thanked the governor for trusting him and reflected on the experiences and lessons gained while serving the people of the state. “I am deeply grateful to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for giving me the chance to serve the great people of Kano State. My time in office has been full of valuable experiences and lessons, and I sincerely appreciate the confidence placed in me,” he added. Kwankwaso also expressed hope that the youth and sports sectors would continue to receive adequate support under the current administration, stressing the importance of sustained investment in youth empowerment and sports development. “As I step down, I pray that the youth of Kano State continue to get the attention and opportunities they deserve. I remain hopeful that our sports initiatives will thrive and grow in the coming years,” he said. He concluded by praying for the prosperity of the state and its leadership: “May Allah (SWT) continue to bless our beloved Kano State. I wish the government and people all the very best.” His resignation comes amid ongoing political reshuffles in Kano State following Governor Yusuf’s recent exit from the NNPP.

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Kwankwaso Blasts Abba Yusuf’s Defection, Declares January 23 As World Betrayal Day

Wale busari05 mins

The leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has strongly criticised Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf’s decision to quit the party, branding the move as a painful betrayal of the confidence reposed in him by party leaders and supporters. NNPP’s national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, while addressing loyalists at his Miller Road residence in Kano, announced that January 23 would now be recognised within the movement as “World Betrayal Day.” He explained that the idea originated from social media reactions to the governor’s resignation, many of which described the development as an act of betrayal. “None caught my attention more than one who posted, suggesting that we declare January 23 annually as World Betrayal Day. “Therefore, as the leader and grand patron of this movement, I hereby declare that I fully support the declaration.” Kwankwaso said the date would be observed with special programmes to serve as a constant reminder of what he described as a defining moment in the history of the movement. Governor Yusuf’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, had earlier confirmed the governor’s resignation from the NNPP in a statement issued on Friday. In its reaction, the NNPP, through a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Ladipo Johnson, said the party received the news with deep sadness and disappointment, rejecting Yusuf’s claim that his departure was caused by an irredeemable internal crisis. “We deeply regret that Governor Abba, a man entrusted by the people of Kano State on the strength of his decades of unwavering loyalty and dedicated service to the Kwankwasiyya Movement, has now chosen to betray that sacred trust. By this action, he risks returning the state to the very forces that have long opposed its progress and the aspirations of its people. “It is noteworthy that our party, the NNPP, had recently conducted congresses for its leadership from the ward to the national convention, held on December 20, 2025, at which the governor himself was present, and INEC had supervised. “The party had also participated and won in two supplementary elections for Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa constituency, respectively held in August 2025, about three months ago. The assertion he made of an irredeemable crisis in the party is therefore baseless and an afterthought.” The party also recalled a similar episode in Kano’s political history, noting that defections had previously been punished by the electorate. “Yet, the electorate delivered a resounding verdict: In the 1983 gubernatorial election, Rimi was humiliatingly defeated by Mallam Aliyu Sabo Bakin Zuwo of the PRP, finishing second. Even more telling, of the 120 state assembly members who joined Rimi’s defection, only one was re-elected, an outcome that should serve as a sobering lesson to any politician contemplating the path of disloyalty. “While this development is deeply disturbing and painful for all who have invested in the Kwankwasiyya vision, we urge the 1,019,602 people who cast their votes for his election, as well as the good people of Kano State and Nigeria, to remain calm, patient, and restrained. Let us not descend into acrimony or division. “History has consistently shown that those who trade loyalty for expediency, and honour for deceit, rarely escape the judgment of the people. The truth endures, and the loyalty of Kano’s masses to principled leadership will ultimately prevail.”

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Kwankwaso Insists On Presidential Or Vice Presidential Slot As Condition For 2027 Defection

Wale busari03 mins

Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has made it clear that any move away from his current political platform ahead of the 2027 general election will depend strictly on the position being offered to him. Speaking in Kano on Saturday while hosting supporters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the former Kano State governor confirmed that discussions are ongoing at the national level about aligning with an opposition coalition. However, he stressed that he is not interested in vague promises or minor appointments. “At the national level, talks are ongoing to join an opposition coalition. We told them that we agree to go with you, but what will you give me. Appointments? How many? Which one among them will fit me, which I will accept?” Kwankwaso stated that his stance has already been clearly communicated to those involved in the talks, insisting that only the top positions would justify such a political shift. “I have made it categorically clear that I will only join a coalition that considers me as either the presidential or vice-presidential candidate.” He added that his supporters across the country would not back any defection unless it firmly places him as either the presidential or vice-presidential flag bearer in the 2027 election. The former governor also disclosed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had previously made overtures to him. According to Kwankwaso, those discussions collapsed after the party failed to present what he described as a concrete and meaningful offer capable of benefiting both him and his political base.

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NNPP Crisis: Kwankwaso Camp Loses as Court Affirms Agbo Major Leadership

Fola Badmus06 mins

Party writes INEC, demands immediate enforcement of court orders The leadership crisis rocking the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has taken a decisive turn as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja issued fresh orders affirming Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major as the authentic national chairman of the party. The orders, delivered on 25 and 27 November 2025 by Justice Bello Kawu of High Court No. 14, restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or engaging with any faction other than the Agbo Major–led leadership. In the ruling of 25 November, the court granted the NNPP leave to apply for judicial review by mandamus and held that the leave would operate as a stay against any contrary action, recognition, or communication by INEC or the faction led by Dr. Ajuju Ahmed. The judge also ordered an accelerated hearing and abridged timelines, fixing 10 December 2025 for the substantive case. A follow-up ruling on 27 November authorised substituted service on 16 respondents via the NNPP National Secretariat in Abuja. The court further barred INEC from monitoring, attending, or participating in any congress or convention organised by the Ahmed-led group until the matter is resolved. Among the restrained respondents are Dr. Ajuju Ahmed, Hon. Abba Kawu Ali, Prince Nwaeze Onu, Hon. Aladipo Alayokun, Ladipo Johnson, Arc. Mohammed Abacha, and Mustapha Alkassim. Following the court directives, the NNPP’s legal team wrote to the new INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, notifying him of the binding orders. In the letter dated 26 November 2025, the party congratulated the chairman and reminded the Commission of several subsisting court judgments—including those from the Abia State High Court (HUZ/11/2024) and the FCT High Court (FCT/HC/CV/5518/2024)—all affirming the validity of the national convention that produced Dr. Agbo Major. The letter also faulted INEC for previously engaging the Ahmed faction despite these judgments, citing an “unauthorised and illegal” letter dated 31 October 2025 in which Dr. Ahmed and Dipo Olayoku purported to notify INEC of planned congresses and a national convention. The NNPP insisted that the individuals had “no authority, standing, or legal relationship” with the party. The party warned INEC that any further engagement with the factional group would amount to wilful disobedience of court orders and violate Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution. It cited the Supreme Court decision in Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu to emphasise that no public authority may place itself above judicial orders. Justice Kawu’s rulings categorically bar INEC from recognising, publishing, or uploading any logo, communication, or document originating from the factional respondents pending the conclusion of the judicial review. The court ordered the NNPP to serve all processes on the respondents within five days, while the respondents must file their counter-affidavits within five days thereafter. The NNPP may reply within three days. The matter is scheduled for hearing on 10 December 2025 at High Court No. 14, Apo, Abuja. In a firm position following the rulings, the NNPP demanded that INEC—“as a matter of necessity”—must upload the Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major and Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday–led National Working Committee (NWC) on its official website and restore the party’s original logo and colours within 48 hours of receiving the enrolled order. The party stressed that there must be no vacuum in administration as it prepares for the next court date. The latest court orders deepen the long-running leadership tussle within the NNPP—a dispute that has resulted in multiple litigations since 2023 and pitted two major factions against each other, including loyalists of former presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

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NNPP Too Small For Me, Kwankwaso Never Reached Out While I Was In Prison,’ Says Faruk Lawan

Kamal Yalwa06 mins

Former Nigerian lawmaker Faruk Lawan has revealed that the leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, never reached out to him during his time in prison. Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Lawan expressed disappointment that even a year after regaining his freedom, Kwankwaso still had not contacted him. Lawan, who was recently pardoned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on October 9, 2025, following his conviction for corruption offences, stated that although mutual respect remains between him and Kwankwaso, their political paths have now diverged. “Now a whole year has passed, and he hasn’t called to wish me well or to say ‘May God bring you out of this place’ or even to pray for me,” Lawan lamented, describing it as a clear indication of a lack of concern from his former political ally. He clarified that while there is still mutual respect, he no longer aligns politically with the Kwankwasiyya movement. “Between me and Kwankwaso, there is still respect and relationship, but politically, to be sincere, I’m no longer aligning with him and the NNPP,” he said. Explaining his decision to move away from the NNPP, Lawan said he now seeks to operate on a broader, national scale rather than remain within what he described as a party “too small” for his political ambitions. “Even before now, the party I belong to is a national party. I’m not a local politician, and I believe my political reach should be expansive. As it stands now, the NNPP feels too small for me,” he stated. Reflecting on his time in prison, Lawan said the experience gave him clarity about who his true friends were. “Whenever God places you in a trial, He illuminates for you who your allies are and who are not. If you are in such a place, you have a long time to reflect on your relationships,” he said. In contrast, Lawan praised some political figures who stood by him throughout his ordeal. He recalled how former APC National Chairman Umar Ganduje maintained regular contact, often speaking with him for hours and checking on his welfare. “There is not a week that will pass by that he (Ganduje) will not call me for us to talk for an hour, asking me how the situation is, including my lawyer arrangements,” he recounted. He also noted that some members of the National Assembly and a 10-member committee sent by the Speaker of the House of Representatives visited him during his incarceration, offering support that contributed to his eventual release. Describing his presidential pardon as a moment of joy and renewal, Lawan said, “If one faces a trial and God presents a chance for pardon, then one must rejoice. Honestly, my family, my supporters, wherever they are, we all know that the day this happened was a day of joy for all of us.” He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for granting him the pardon, calling it an act of justice and compassion. “It was also a day we gave thanks to God, for He delivered us, and to thank the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, for doing what was right and deserving of commendation,” he said. Reflecting on his faith and optimism, Lawan concluded that his time in prison strengthened his spirit and outlook on life. “This made it so that even before leaving prison, my mind was at ease, and I was convinced that wherever I would go, I would find people to interact with. If they could survive there, I saw no reason why I couldn’t survive outside,” he said.

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Kwankwaso Open to Rejoining APC, Sets Conditions for Alliance

Kwankwaso Open to Rejoining APC, Sets Conditions for Alliance

Fola Badmus04 mins

September 20, 2025 Former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed openness to a potential political alliance with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), but insists it must be based on firm guarantees. Speaking during a strategic meeting with former political adviser Buhari Bakwana and APC leaders from all 44 local government areas of Kano State, Kwankwaso said any merger or alliance must come with “strong promises” and tangible benefits for the NNPP. The meeting was held at Kwankwaso’s residence on Miller Road in Kano, where he reflected on his role in the formation of the APC in 2013, emphasizing the personal and political sacrifices made at the time. “Nobody in this country can deny the burden we bore in creating the APC. We were the ones who led its formation. I was among the first seven governors to join. The ICPC, EFCC, and police were used against us just to derail the movement,” he said. Kwankwaso stressed that future cooperation with the APC—or any party—must be backed by clear commitments, especially regarding what the NNPP and its nationwide political structure stand to gain. “If you’re asking us to join APC, then tell us what the NNPP will benefit. We have candidates across the country and full party structures. What will be offered to them?” he asked. He also criticized both APC and PDP for breaching past political agreements, saying previous alliances yielded little to no benefit. “Eight years under APC and former President Buhari gave us nothing—not even appreciation. In PDP, we only requested a zonal party chairmanship, and they refused. So we left quietly, and today, we’re stronger and more principled,” Kwankwaso added. While expressing willingness to consider renewed talks, he issued a clear warning: the NNPP will not be “used and dumped.” “We are open to joining APC under strong conditions and credible promises. We will not accept any alliance where we are used and later abandoned,” he concluded. Kwankwaso’s remarks come amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, as parties position themselves to build stronger coalitions.

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No Tinubu-Kwankwaso Secret Meeting, Alliance Talks Hit Roadblock

No Tinubu-Kwankwaso Secret Meeting, Alliance Talks Hit Roadblock

Fola Badmus08 mins

By Kamal Yalwa Media reports on Monday (not originating from Daily Trust) claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu held a secret meeting with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The report suggested the closed-door engagement was part of a broader plan by the presidency to bring Kwankwaso back into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections, potentially as a vice-presidential candidate. However, the story has since been debunked by credible sources at both the Presidency and Kwankwaso’s camp. False Claims, Denials Follow The alleged meeting was said to have followed Kwankwaso’s attendance at the Nigeria Forest Economy Summit 2025 at the State House Conference Centre. It was portrayed as a second known interaction between the two leaders since Tinubu’s inauguration in June 2023. But a source close to Kwankwaso dismissed the report, saying: “That narrative is far from the truth. Kwankwaso was only at the Villa for the stated conference and nothing more.” Presidency insiders also rubbished the claims. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters, Ibrahim Kabir Masari, described the report as “fake news,” adding, “There was nothing like that. If the meeting had taken place—either at the office or the residence—it would have been known.” Alliance Talks Stalling Recent developments suggest a cooling of relations between President Tinubu and Kwankwaso, once speculated to be on the verge of an alliance. Following the surprise resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as APC national chairman—widely believed to have been Kwankwaso’s main obstacle to rejoining the party—analysts speculated that reconciliation talks were gaining traction. However, the narrative shifted sharply this week. During a Kano State-sponsored forum on constitutional reform, Kwankwaso lashed out at the Tinubu administration, accusing it of neglecting Northern Nigeria in favour of the South. “The North is battling poverty, insecurity, and a lack of infrastructure due to mismanagement and resource allocation,” Kwankwaso said. “Most of the roads in the North are in terrible condition, while huge sums are being spent on the South.” Presidency Responds In response, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Sunday Dare, refuted the claims on X, listing over 40 federal projects initiated in the North during Tinubu’s tenure. He maintained that the administration had demonstrated balanced development across regions. Kwankwaso Rallies Support The former Kano governor further signalled a shift in strategy on Friday, when he announced that thousands of APC defectors had joined the NNPP at his residence in Kano. “Our distinguished leadership continues to attract new members. I welcome them all and assure them of fairness and cooperation,” Kwankwaso posted on X. Alliance Hopes Fade Sources close to Kwankwaso told Weekend Trust that the former defence minister is weighing multiple options for 2027. These include: “The Tinubu option isn’t off the table, but it’s complicated,” a senior aide said. “There’s no rush to decide.” A Political Gamble? Dr. Aminu Hayatu, a political analyst at Bayero University, Kano, believes Kwankwaso is playing a waiting game. “He’s watching how the dynamics evolve within both the APC and opposition coalitions. His recent criticism of Tinubu may be strategic—to press for better political leverage,” Hayatu told Daily Trust. He warned that joining the APC could alienate parts of Kwankwaso’s base, many of whom are critical of Tinubu. How It All Began Speculation about a Tinubu-Kwankwaso alliance dates back to 2023, when reports emerged that the two met in Paris shortly after Tinubu’s election victory. Kwankwaso was rumoured to have accepted a ministerial role—an appointment that never materialised. Tinubu’s directive to Ganduje to reconcile with Kwankwaso also failed, reportedly due to Ganduje’s resistance. With Ganduje now out, many believed an alliance was imminent—until Kwankwaso’s recent criticism suggested otherwise. What Lies Ahead While President Tinubu is reportedly still exploring ways to secure Northern support in 2027, Kwankwaso’s next move remains uncertain. Whether he stays in the NNPP, aligns with the opposition, or rekindles talks with the presidency, his political clout—especially in Kano, Nigeria’s most populous state—will be pivotal in the race. In 2023, Kwankwaso’s 997,279 votes in Kano far exceeded Tinubu’s 517,341 and effectively blocked Atiku Abubakar’s chances in the region. As Nigeria edges closer to 2027, all eyes remain on the direction he chooses to go. Source: Daily Trust

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