Kwankwaso Sets Merger Terms, Insists on Presidential or VP Slot

The national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has outlined strict conditions for any proposed political merger, insisting that interested parties must be prepared to offer him either the presidential or vice-presidential ticket.

Kwankwaso made the declaration while addressing groups of supporters at his Miller Road residence in Kano over the weekend. The former two-term governor of Kano State said discussions on mergers were ongoing but stressed that neither he nor the NNPP would enter any alliance without clear political value and defined benefits for the party and its supporters.

During the gathering, Kwankwaso also dismissed reports suggesting a planned defection by Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with his backing. He denied having any pact with the governor to leave the NNPP, describing the reports as misleading.

The former defence minister said he was firmly opposed to any move by Governor Yusuf to defect, warning that such a decision would amount to handing over a hard-won electoral victory to political rivals. He criticised those allegedly encouraging the governor to defect, arguing that they should also have advised him to relinquish his mandate before joining another party.

“I am not party to it and I do not support the purported move to defect,” Kwankwaso said, insisting it was important for the public to understand his position. He referenced the political history of Kano, stating that past defections had damaged legacies and should serve as lessons to current leaders.

Kwankwaso urged his supporters to continue engaging those involved and to encourage them to reconsider, stressing that the NNPP remains the political home where they are valued. He, however, noted that if anyone chose to leave despite appeals, the party would move on.

Speaking further, Kwankwaso revealed that the Federal Government and the APC had previously approached him for discussions, but said talks failed because they could not provide convincing answers on what they were offering him, the party leadership, and NNPP supporters nationwide.

He rejected claims that the NNPP was limited to Kano State, saying the party has structures and offices across the country. According to him, the party’s immediate focus is to consolidate its strength in Kano and gradually expand its influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kwankwaso also dismissed suggestions that internal crises were driving defections, noting that congresses had been conducted at ward, local government, state, zonal and national levels. He argued that claims of internal instability were often used as excuses by those already determined to leave.

On the possibility of future alliances, Kwankwaso said the NNPP remained open to mergers, whether under its own platform or another party, but only on the condition that he emerges as either the presidential or vice-presidential candidate.

Looking ahead to 2027, Kwankwaso said the election would be a contest between the masses and political elites who, despite holding power, failed to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians. He insisted that political dominance through governors and office holders does not automatically translate into electoral victory, adding that integrity, dignity and justice remain central to the NNPP’s appeal, particularly in Kano State.