Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed concern over the worsening political tension in the state, warning that ongoing speculations and internal disputes could derail governance and public confidence.
Addressing supporters and party stakeholders in Kano, Kwankwaso described the situation as deeply troubling and said the developments were unexpected and unsettling. He noted that the atmosphere had created confusion among party loyalists and ordinary citizens alike.
He disclosed that he had engaged several political actors behind the scenes in an effort to halt what he considered a harmful political direction, stressing that such a path would not benefit Kano State. Kwankwaso said the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)-led administration still had time to deliver meaningful dividends of democracy, provided there was unity and cooperation among political stakeholders.
According to him, many people were puzzled by the crisis, as there was no clear justification for the level of discord being witnessed.
The former governor criticised calls for the NNPP government to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), referring to the political structure linked to former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje as “Gandujiyya.” He argued that abandoning the current platform would amount to betraying the mandate freely given by the people.
He said the political space in Kano had become sharply divided, adding that the struggle went beyond personalities and parties, and touched on issues of dignity, justice and integrity. Kwankwaso warned that the consequences of the crisis were already being felt emotionally and physically by party supporters, many of whom he said were distressed and confused despite their loyalty to the government they helped elect.
According to him, the patience displayed by supporters, even in the face of limited benefits so far, reflected the core values of the Kwankwasiyya movement and their desire to protect the image of the state.
Kwankwaso also condemned internal conflicts and social media attacks among party members, describing such actions as reckless and self-destructive.
He warned that mobilising supporters against one another would only weaken the movement and deepen existing divisions.
He revealed that the APC-led federal government had reached out to him and other leaders, recalling the sacrifices and losses recorded during their long political struggle. He said the moment required reflection and restraint rather than internal battles, noting that some individuals appeared eager to abandon the movement at the slightest excuse.
Dismissing claims that the NNPP was weak in Kano, Kwankwaso insisted that the party remained the most dominant political force in the state. He said while the movement was open to working with like-minded groups, it would not compromise its principles or surrender its political identity.
He added that the ongoing crisis had, in some ways, strengthened the Kwankwasiyya movement, as many Kano residents valued integrity and rejected what they perceived as injustice.
Kwankwaso cautioned the APC leadership against underestimating Kano State, pointing out that despite controlling the majority of states in the federation, pressure was still being mounted on the NNPP-led government in Kano.
He questioned the insistence on having Kano’s governor defect to the APC, arguing that doing so would strip the movement of its only executive stronghold.
According to him, if the governor was determined to leave, those encouraging the move should also be prepared to relinquish the governorship, as political offices were not the exclusive preserve of any individual.
