The Kano State Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Hashimu Dungurawa, has dismissed widespread speculation that the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is planning to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking to journalists on Monday, Dungurawa described the rumours as a “malicious miscalculation” by political opponents who are allegedly “afraid of the growing influence of the Kwankwasiyya movement.”
“The question of Kwankwaso joining ADC or any other party is just a miscalculation by politicians who are afraid of the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement,” Dungurawa stated.
He insisted that Kwankwaso, a former Minister of Defence and ex-Governor of Kano State, remains a calculated politician who would not make any political move without fully assessing its implications.
“I know Kwankwaso too well. He is not in haste to show where he is going. He is the political leader of Northern Nigeria today, and every politician, especially in this region, is looking up to him.”
Dungurawa urged politicians and the public to “calm down” and avoid panic over Kwankwaso’s political consultations, noting that talking to other political actors is normal in politics and does not signify defection.
“As a politician who holds a PhD in the field, do you expect him to hide or desert people? Talking to others is normal in politics, but that doesn’t mean anything conclusive.”
Addressing concerns among some supporters, Dungurawa said only pretenders were jittery, while genuine followers trust that Kwankwaso would consult widely before making any strategic decisions.
Meanwhile, on the performance of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Dungurawa hailed his achievements in the last two years, particularly in infrastructure development, saying it had rendered the opposition ineffective.
“The governor’s heavy infrastructural development has overwhelmed the opposition. They can’t even show their presence anywhere in Kano, and that’s why we’re proud of what he is doing.”
