The Kwankwasiyya political movement has dismissed media reports that its leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is considering a defection to the All Progressives Congress, calling the reports baseless and unfounded.
The denial is contained in a statement released on Tuesday by the movement’s Spokesperson, Dr. Habibu Mohammed.
The reaction to the speculated media reports may not be unrelated to recent political realignments and speculation in Kano State politics, which have also drawn responses from Kwankwaso himself.
Recall that the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, recently defected from the NNPP to the APC, alongside 22 members of the State House of Assembly, eight House of Representatives and 44 Local Government Chairmen.
“The Kwankwasiyya Movement has observed with deep concern the increasing circulation of speculative reports, commentaries, and televised opinions alleging that our Principal, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, engaged in negotiations or made demands to defect to the All Progressives Congress.
“We state clearly, categorically, and without any ambiguity that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has never at any time entered into negotiations, discussions, or meetings with the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, or any proxy for the purpose of defection. These claims are entirely false, baseless, and deliberately misleading.
“It is deeply troubling that allegations of such gravity capable of damaging reputation and distorting public understanding are being published and amplified without verifiable facts, credible primary sources, and direct confirmation from the person concerned or his political movement,” the statement said.
It added that, “Journalism remains a noble profession built on investigation, balance, and factual accuracy, not conjecture, elite gossip, or speculative analysis disguised as insider knowledge. We therefore urge journalists, editors, and media platforms to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, particularly when reporting on sensitive political matters.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we restate the following facts: The last formal meeting between Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took place in January 2024.
“No discussion whatsoever took place at that meeting regarding defection, political bargaining, or party alignment. Claims that Senator Kwankwaso made excessive demands or overreached are fabrications based on imaginary negotiations that never occurred.
“It is important to emphasize that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has long-standing personal and political relationships that cut across party lines and administrations. Such interactions are normal, healthy, and expected in a democratic polity.
“The meeting referenced in January 2024 occurred within this long-established context. In the absence of verified facts regarding the purpose, content, or outcome of that meeting, no individual, analyst, or media organization has the right to speculate or draw conclusions, particularly on matters as grave as defection or political bargaining. Meetings, without facts, must not be converted into false narratives,” Mohammed said.
Adding that, “It has become increasingly clear that these reports form part of a broader, coordinated attempt by sections of the political elite to discredit Senator Kwankwaso ahead of future political realignments, preemptively weaken his political relevance, mischaracterize and minimize him despite his national stature.
“Ironically, many of those promoting these narratives are individuals who harbour personal ambitions to defect to the APC and have now done so, and are seeking to justify their decisions through revisionist storytelling,” he said.
The statement noted that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is a politician of discipline, integrity, and principle who does not negotiate his convictions in secret, nor does he conduct politics by speculation or convenience.
“His political strength has always derived from the people, particularly the downtrodden, not from elite consensus or media echo chambers.
“It is therefore reassuring that his political base remains focused, informed, and unswayed by these orchestrated narratives and half-baked conclusions.
“We call on Nigerians to disregard these misleading reports, speculative opinions, and manufactured analyses being circulated in certain sections of the media.
“The facts remain unchanged and unequivocal: There were no negotiations, there were no demands, there was no discussion of defection.
“Kwankwasiyya remains steadfast. The people remain resolute. And the truth, ultimately, will prevail,” the statement added.
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