Tinubu personally reached out to me on multiple occasions, urging me to return to the APC- Kwankwaso

former Kano State governor and national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has issued a decisive and uncompromising rejection of any possibility of returning to the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite a series of overtures by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This declaration marks a potentially transformative moment in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape as the 2027 general elections draw near.

Kwankwaso, widely known for his deep grassroots network and independent political ideology, had been the subject of persistent rumours suggesting that he might rejoin the APC, especially following the sudden resignation of former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje — his long-standing political rival. Many analysts had interpreted Ganduje’s departure as a strategic clearing of the path for Kwankwaso to stage a grand return to the ruling party and possibly emerge as a formidable presidential candidate under its platform.

However, Kwankwaso’s recent comments have laid such speculation to rest. In a pointed and public rebuke, he condemned the APC as a party that has betrayed its founding principles and brought untold hardship to the Nigerian people through what he termed “reckless governance, failed economic policies, and broken promises.” The former Minister of Defence disclosed that President Tinubu had personally reached out several times, using both direct and indirect channels to convince him to return, even offering lucrative political incentives. Yet, Kwankwaso insisted that no offer could persuade him to abandon the ideals he has championed under the NNPP.

He stated, “President Tinubu personally contacted me on several occasions, encouraging me to rejoin the APC. However, I’ve made it unequivocally clear that I would rather retire from politics entirely than return to a party that has so thoroughly forsaken principle and justice.”

This bold stance has further cemented Kwankwaso's image as a defiant political figure in Northern Nigeria, one who prioritizes conviction over convenience. His refusal to compromise highlights deeper fractures within both the ruling APC and the broader opposition bloc. It also signals a brewing shift in the North's political allegiance — a development that could significantly complicate Tinubu’s re-election calculations.

For many within the APC, bringing Kwankwaso back was seen as crucial to quelling growing discontent in the North, where economic challenges, security concerns, and perceived marginalization are fueling dissatisfaction. His grassroots base — known as the "Kwankwasiyya movement" — commands loyalty across key northern states, making him an indispensable force in shaping the region's political direction.

Nevertheless, Kwankwaso appears more committed than ever to building the NNPP as a credible third force. His stance positions him not merely as a critic of the APC but as a leader seeking to rewrite Nigeria’s political playbook. Whether this principled stand will translate into electoral capital in 2027 remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly alters the strategic equations as political realignments begin to take shape.