Former Kano Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant Ja’afar Sani Bello has dismissed the political influence of the erstwhile governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Speaking on Daily Politics on Trust TV, Bello argued that any party Kwankwaso joins would struggle under his leadership.
Bello maintained that the former governor lacks the nationwide appeal of other prominent politicians who recently joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“Atiku Abubakar joined the ADC without a caveat, Peter Obi joined without a caveat, Nasir El-Rufai joined without a caveat. All of them command national profiles far above Kwankwaso,” Bello said.
He added that Kwankwaso’s political footprint is heavily concentrated in Kano State.
“In the last election, Atiku Abubakar garnered 7 million votes, Peter Obi 6 million votes. Kwankwaso got only 1.14 million, and 90 per cent of that was from Kano.
“He essentially has one state to vouch for,” Bello warned.
Meanwhile, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has said that Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, does not require the endorsement of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain in the party.
Naija News reports that the party made this known in a statement on Monday amid rising tensions over Yusuf’s political future and reported defection plans.
Addressing the issue, Mr Ogini Olaposi, NNPP’s National Secretary, stated that the governor, who is the party’s sole sitting governor and leader, is at liberty to make his own political decisions.
Olaposi said, “Whilst we advise the governor to remain in the NNPP, we also understand that it is within his constitutional rights to join any party of his choice due to escalating legal battles.
“If the governor had made up his mind to leave the NNPP, no dictatorial tendencies and blackmail could stop him.”
He further stressed that the NNPP holds no animosity towards any political party, including the ruling APC.
The party’s reaction follows a statement issued by Mr Ladipo Johnson, spokesperson to Senator Kwankwaso, on Sunday. Johnson described as false a viral report claiming that Kwankwaso had reversed his stance and endorsed Governor Yusuf’s defection.
He alleged that individuals within the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya Movement, who were pushing for defection, were behind the misinformation.
“Those seeking to move from the NNPP were responsible for misinforming the people on Kwankwaso’s stand,” Johnson said.
However, the NNPP urged the former presidential candidate to refrain from interfering in the governor’s decisions and allow him to focus on governance.
Olaposi added, “What Kwankwaso has failed to tell us is if his stand on the governor’s alleged planned defection is out of godfatherism or if he has personal issues against the ruling party.
“Whatever misgiving he has against the APC should remain personal and should not be forced on others wishing to join the party.”
Responding to Johnson’s claim that Kwankwaso described the move as a betrayal, the NNPP said it was ironic, noting that the former minister had once attempted to hijack the party’s structure.
“Kwankwaso and his group now know how betrayal feels, when he tried to hijack a party that gave him a platform to contest election for free in 2023,” the statement read.
The party concluded by reaffirming support for Governor Yusuf, while still urging him to reconsider his position.
The party stated, “We will remain in support of the Kano State governor and any decision he takes, but still advise and encourage him to have a rethink and remain with the NNPP.
“Kwankwaso remains expelled from the NNPP for the good of the party and members.”