Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections, says his party is willing to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC), but only if firm commitments are made.
Speaking at his Miller Road residence in Kano on Friday, September 19, Kwankwaso hosted Buhari Bakwana, a former aide to ex-Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, alongside APC members from the 44 local government areas of the state.
The NNPP leader reminded his guests of the pivotal role he played in forming the APC back in 2013, stressing that he and six other governors faced political persecution for their decision.
“Nobody in the country will tell me the burden we took in creating APC. We were the ones who led the creation of the party, 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 stop our plans,” he said.
READ ALSO: 2027: Kwankwaso Has Not Ruled Out Joining APC — Jibrin
Kwankwaso made it clear that any talks about a return must come with real benefits for his party’s structure.
“If you are asking us to join APC, you must tell us what NNPP will gain. We have gubernatorial candidates in all the states and full structures nationwide. What will you offer them if we join?” he asked.
Reflecting on past alliances, he accused both APC and PDP of reneging on promises.
“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.
Despite his reservations, Kwankwaso said the NNPP is still open to dialogue but will not accept a deal that leaves the party weakened.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us,” he maintained.