President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly agreed in principle to hold talks with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and its 2023 presidential candidate, to discuss the possibility of his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The development follows a closed-door meeting between President Tinubu and Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Sources indicate that Governor Yusuf, widely regarded as Kwankwaso's political godson, may have played a key role in facilitating the proposed engagement, urging the president to meet Kwankwaso directly to address outstanding issues and persuade him to join the APC alongside the governor.
Kwankwaso has previously met with President Tinubu on multiple occasions but has conditioned any move to the APC on clear assurances of benefits for himself, his supporters, and the future of the Kano State government under NNPP control.
He has emphasized the need for a firm agreement potentially in writing regarding the fate of NNPP lawmakers, appointees, and the state's political structure before defecting.
The speculation around defections in Kano has intensified in recent weeks, with Governor Yusuf's planned shift from the NNPP to the APC reportedly delayed several times since early January.
This has created tensions within the Kwankwasiyya movement, as Kwankwaso has publicly described any unilateral move by the governor as a betrayal and warned of political consequences in the 2027 elections.
Some loyalists, including Kwankwaso's son, have threatened to resign from government positions if the governor proceeds independently.
APC sources describe President Tinubu's willingness to engage Kwankwaso as a strategic effort to broaden the party's base in the politically strategic Kano State ahead of future elections.
Kano APC Chairman Abdullahi Abbas has declined to comment directly on the rumored meeting but noted that if Governor Yusuf defects, he would likely assume leadership of the party in the state, with figures like former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and potentially Kwankwaso serving as influential elders.
The proposed Tinubu-Kwankwaso meeting comes against the backdrop of ongoing political realignments in northern Nigeria, where the APC seeks to consolidate support amid internal challenges and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
No specific date, venue, or agenda details for the talks have been confirmed, and the outcome remains uncertain given Kwankwaso's cautious stance and past insistence on satisfactory terms.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com