The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, has described the rumoured defection of former New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, to the APC as a welcome development.
In a statement titled “The Position of APC Kano State Chapter on the Purported Decamping of Factional NNPP Leader, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso,” and made available to journalists on Friday, Abbas emphasized that the APC remains open to receiving defectors from other political parties.
“APC as a political institution, under its renewed hope agenda, has embarked on the project of receiving decampees from all political parties,” Abbas stated.
He acknowledged the widespread speculation about Kwankwaso’s defection and noted that the APC remains Kwankwaso’s “last political refuge,” pointing out the former governor’s strained relations with other political groups in the country.
Abbas added that the party’s ward chapters have been directed to open registers for new members, stressing that everyone, regardless of political or social standing, is welcome to join through proper registration channels at the ward level.
“We advise all those desirous of joining our esteemed party to go to their respective wards and register,” he said.
He also reassured current APC office holders at all levels that they will continue to operate according to the tenure provided in the party’s constitution and that any new or old entrant has equal rights in seeking elective positions without preferential treatment.
However, Abbas cautioned that some individuals are joining APC in a bid to regain lost political relevance or avoid prosecution for past misconduct.
“Some people are desperate to join the APC because they have scuttled their political goodwill and have become political lepers… Others are trying to run away from accounting for their corrupt misdeeds and are seeking refuge in APC to escape anti-corruption agencies like EFCC and ICPC,” he warned.
He firmly stated that joining the APC should not be seen as a shield against legal accountability, adding:
“The APC does not and will not encourage or promote the existence of cult-like associations in the name of political groupings.”
In closing, Abbas called on potential decampees, especially those who had previously criticized APC leaders, to publicly apologize as a sign of remorse and to pave the way for respectful future engagement.
“We unequivocally call on all those prospective decampees who have earlier made derogatory statements against our leaders, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, to offer a public apology.”
