The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State on Monday clarified that its national leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the party at both state and national levels would not defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite circulating reports.

Speaking to reporters, NNPP Kano State Chairman Hashim Suleiman Dungurawa acknowledged that some party members were considering defection but stressed that Kwankwaso does not approve of such moves.

He added that the party is making efforts to persuade members to remain patient and loyal, urging them not to join the APC.

However, Dungurawa did not address reports suggesting that Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, along with his cabinet, local government chairmen, and other NNPP leaders, had nearly finalised plans to join the ruling party.

A source claimed that Governor Yusuf has reached an understanding with President Bola Tinubu and is prepared to defect to the APC, even without Kwankwaso’s endorsement.

“On behalf of the NNPP party in Kano State and at the national level, and all the segments of this blessed movement—such as CRC/Lafiya Jari/Kano Propa/Kwankwasiyya, our teeming youths and women, and patriotic citizens—I wish to inform you that we are aware of the developments happening here in Kano State concerning some individuals who intend to defect to the APC.

“I want to make it clear that the Kano State party, the national party, and our national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, together with other leaders, do not approve of what is happening.

“In fact, we did everything within our power to persuade them to be patient and not defect to the APC, because of our responsibility to them and our responsibility to the people of Kano; however, that has become difficult.

“Therefore, on behalf of all of us collectively, we once again appeal to them, for the sake of Allah and the Prophet, not to leave this party and not to defect to the party that we have opposed and which the masses and other voters have rejected,” the state chairman said.

Dungurawa said some members of the party were spreading rumors and trying to pitch the Governor against Senator Kwankwaso.

“At this point, I would like to say nobody should append their names on any document as being circulated by mischief makers,” he said. (The Nation)