Former Kano governor and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) national leader Rabiu Kwankwaso on Tuesday warned party members against defecting, saying history shows those who abandon the group have not prospered politically.
Kwankwaso made the remarks while addressing supporters in Kano amid reports that some members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement were considering joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to boost his prospects for the presidency.
Abdullahi Rogo, director-general of the protocol directorate at the Kano state government house, said on behalf of the movement that the planned defections were in Kano’s best interest and that the group had appealed to Governor Abba Yusuf and Kwankwaso to lead them into the APC.
Kwankwaso said he was aware that “a few, very few” supporters were contemplating switching sides and urged party members to dissuade them.
“Nobody in this country or elsewhere has ever succeeded with betrayal; it doesn’t work that way,” he said. “If you are in doubt, look at our history from 1999 till date. All those who betrayed this group, like other groups, have never succeeded. I don’t even know one.”
He added that apparent gains from defection are usually short-lived. “They may succeed temporarily: day one, day two, day three, year one, year two. Some in this state were looking like they were succeeding for 10 years. If you ask them, ‘Where are you now?’ They are on the floor, flat on the ground.”
Kwankwaso urged party members to remain united, support the NNPP’s ideology and learn from past experiences rather than repeat costly mistakes.
He also praised loyal members for turning out in large numbers despite efforts by some political actors to align with the governor, saying the turnout demonstrated the NNPP’s enduring grassroots support in Kano.
