*Denies Planned Defection To Ruling Party
THERE were indications that former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, held a meeting with the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, possibly on joining the party.
It was rumoured that Kwankwaso had written to the APC national secretariat in Abuja intimating it of his intention to join the party, but this could not be independently verified.
A source at the APC secretariat told Daily Trust that ahead of the 2007 elections, the former minister of Defence and Yilwatda APC had a meeting regarding the expected defection of the leader and presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 general elections.
Kwankwaso had said, and was indeed, reported to have submitted a set of conditions for his return to the party in a letter forwarded to the APC national leadership in Abuja, instead of the Kano State chapter, due to his lingering rivalry with the state leadership of the party, as well as his succeessor and immediate past national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.
In his reaction, the party’s National Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, told the newspaper that the alleged letter was merely in realm of speculation, adding, though that APC was ready to welcome Kwankwaso and any other politician willing to abide by its progressive ideology and ready to work for the party’s interest.
However, Kwankwaso has denied claims that he submitted a letter of intent to join the party. In a statement he personally signed and released through his media office on Friday, September 26, he described them as “online statements” lacking credibility or foundation.
He stated: “We have been alerted to some online statements suggesting that we have submitted a letter of intent to join a political party in the country,” the statement read.
“We would like to clarify that we have not made any such submission to any party. The public is, therefore, advised to stay informed of any further information regarding our matter through the established official channels.”
