Abba’s defection a personal decision, not Kwankwaso’s strategy — Kwankwasiyya Movement

The Kwankwasiyya Movement Nigeria has dismissed claims that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf are playing political games to mislead Nigerians over the governor’s reported defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking in an exclusive interview with SolaceBase, Spokesperson II of the Movement, Capt. Mansur Umar Kurugu said the governor’s move was driven by personal interest and described it as a betrayal of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

“Those saying it is a game do not understand what is happening. Kwankwaso will never play such a game with Abba. The governor decided on his own, out of personal interest, to leave his political mentor who has supported him for over 40 years,” he said.

Kurugu noted that members of the movement were initially in disbelief when Abba Kabir Yusuf dumped the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the platform that brought him to office. “We thought it was a dream, but it turned out to be real. Abba betrayed us. He did not consult his mentor, who helped him to power, and up till today, he has not given a convincing reason for leaving the NNPP,” he added.

He further alleged that the governor’s actions cost Kwankwaso the loyalty of many supporters. “Kwankwaso lost loyalists because of Abba. We will not forget this betrayal. We will wait until election time. We do not trust the APC, and we will not join the party,” Kurugu said.

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The spokesperson also denied reports that Kwankwaso had expressed willingness to join the APC or any other party in exchange for a presidential or vice-presidential ticket.

“That is not true. I challenge anyone to prove that Kwankwaso made such a statement,” he said. “He only stated that he is ready to join any party that will protect the interests of Nigerians, work genuinely for the country, and whose manifesto aligns with the ideals of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.”

Kurugu emphasized that decisions within the movement are taken collectively. “Kwankwaso does not take decisions alone. He consults members from the ward level up to the national level. He is a seasoned politician who carefully considers his options and always acts in the public interest. He has reached a stage where he will not join any party blindly,” he stated.

He also accused Governor Yusuf of deviating from the movement’s manifesto, citing concerns over the state of education and water supply in Kano.

“Whatever has happened has happened. We will wait for the right time to respond to this betrayal,” Kurugu said.