Galadima confirms Kwankwaso ready to work with Tinubu but no sign of defection to APC
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Rabiu Kwankwaso, presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has not announced plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), his loyalist and chieftain of the NNPP, Buba Galadima, has clarified.
Kwankwaso reportedly met with then-President elect, Bola Tinubu, before his inauguration is May, and is said to be currently penciled down for Defence Minister in Tinubu’s cabinet to placate and bring him onboard from opposition ranks.
Galadima said Kwankwaso is ready to work with Tinubu but has not informed to the NNPP he would join the APC, a point Kwankwaso repeated several times during the campaign.
“Kwankwaso has not told anybody he is joining the APC; people are just talking, but what we have before is winner takes all. If Tinubu is calling for a unity government, it is not a bad thing,” Galadima told Channels Television, per Daily Post.
NNPC National Publicity Secretary Major Agbo reiterated in May in Abuja there was nothing wrong in Kwankwaso meeting with Tinubu, being a detribalised politician with friends across political and religious divides.
“I don’t want you to be afraid that he is going anywhere. He is not going anywhere. Like I said, he is one man whose relationship cuts across all political platforms. You will see more of that,” Agbo said.
__________________________________________________________________
Related articles:
Kwankwaso urges voters to shun APC, PDP and choose alternative
Kwankwaso restates priority for education, youth empowerment
__________________________________________________________________
Kwankwaso adamant he will never support APC, PDP
Kwankwaso himself reiterated during the campaign in January he would not join another political party to win the Villa in the election on February 25.
He restated his stand in response to questions on a live radio programme in Dutse, explaining since he and his supporters joined the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) some people have been concocting lies for political reasons.
“I heard that some people are saying Northern elders met me and asked me to step down for a Northern candidate and some are saying I am romancing with APC [All Progressives Alliance],” he said.
“Who can tell us about Arewa? Who knows Arewa better than us? These are candidates that have issues with their qualifications and health.”
Rumour mongers out to distract voters
Kwankwaso insisted the rumour was baseless and was made up by miscreants to distract Nigerians.
“God forbid I work or romance with APC, PDP [Peoples Democratic Party], I am for NNPP, there is no going back.
“This is a golden opportunity for all Nigerians if they want things to change for the better. NNPP is the answer and if they want things to continue, so be it.”
Kwankwaso won’t merge with another party nor step down for anyone
Kwakwanso had on the campaign trail in Abeokuta in December 2022 dismissed talk of merger with another party as the propaganda of failed politicians who had nothing to offer except deception and lies to grab power.
He also denied planning to step down for anyone.
“That’s absolute nonsense. You see we believe that we are not above the three or four parties in this country, but by 2023, next year, by the grace of God, the NNPP will win the election at national and all other levels,” he said.
“So, these are people who are failed politicians who have nothing to tell Nigerians other than to spread unnecessary rumour of a merger.
“Merger is already gone. We have our candidates. In all the parties, everybody is campaigning. So, disregard that nonsense.”
Kwankwaso lost his temper when he was asked if he would step down for any candidate. “Don’t ask me that rubbish,” he snapped.
Focus on education, empowering youth and women
He pledged his administration would strengthen the armed forces with one million recruits if elected President, and grant education at all levels to citizens as well as place priority on youth and women empowerment.