A former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, has sparked fresh speculation about a potential defection of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his supporters to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ahmad’s comments came late Thursday via a post on 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) after Vice President Kashim Shettima publicly referred to the former Kano State governor as “NNPP-APC” during an event, a phrase political observers are interpreting as a possible indication of backchannel talks between Kwankwaso’s camp and the APC hierarchy.
In his reaction, Ahmad described Shettima’s comment as a “strong signal” that the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader may be on his way to the APC.
Ahmad stated, “If nothing else, Vice President Shettima referring to Senator Kwankwaso as ‘NNPP-APC’ is a strong signal that the NNPP leader and his teeming supporters are on the verge of joining our great party, the APC.”
Bashir, a notable APC chieftain from Kano, suggested that the anticipated realignment could be the key to achieving the long-sought political cohesion in the state.
He added, “This will help to have a politically united Kano, something long desired for the progress and stability of our state.”
Kwankwaso, a former Defence Minister and prominent northern politician, has remained a vocal opposition figure since he contested the 2023 presidential election under the NNPP platform.