Following reports of the National Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, meeting with President Bola Tinubu regarding the alleged plan to collapse the NNPP into the APC in exchange for a ministerial position, the president has been advised not to meet with him without the presence of APC leaders, including the National Chairman, Umar Ganduje.
It has been circulated that Dr. Musa Kwankwaso has allegedly agreed to merge with the APC in exchange for a ministerial position and other positions for his supporters in the government of President Tinubu.
Speaking to newsmen in Kano, Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, a former commissioner in the Ganduje administration and a member of the APC, said it is no longer news that the president is meeting with Kwankwaso regarding the possible merger of his party with the ruling APC. However, he advised that this should be done with care and caution.
Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso explained, “The president would do well to include Kano APC leaders in all discussions with Kwankwaso, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, House Majority Leader Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi, State Minister for Housing Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo, State APC Chairman Abdullahi Abbas, and other elected officials, especially the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Umar Ganduje.”
He further stated, “The reason I say this is because I know the kind of person Kwankwaso is. It would not be difficult for him to betray the talks, even with the President. Therefore, the presence of party leaders, especially from Kano, is necessary as witnesses.”
He added, “President Tinubu should be aware that Kwankwaso is leaving the NNPP because many of his party loyalists, including some elected officials from Nasarawa State, are defecting to the APC.
“Even in Kano, Kwankwaso’s stronghold, the NNPP is gradually losing relevance, with many leaving the party, and some top elected National Assembly members are also said to be on their way out.”
“President Tinubu, as a professional and sound politician, surely understands why Kwankwaso is now jittery. He is losing his political relevance, and that is why he is ready to accept any position offered by the APC government,” he added.