Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Kano State Government of allegedly pressuring public office holders to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement shared via his verified social media platforms, Kwankwaso claimed he had received troubling reports that state officials and elected local government chairmen were being compelled to sign documents indicating their defection to rival political camps.
“I have received several reports, some encouraging and others very disturbing,” Kwankwaso said. “I am being informed that the Kano State Government is forcing state officials and local government chairmen to sign for either Gandujiyya or Kwankwasiyya.”
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He described the alleged action as disheartening, warning that supporters of the movement would not take such developments lightly. “It is painful that a government would descend to this level,” he added.
Reacting swiftly, Ibrahim Waiya, the Kano State Commissioner for Information, while, speaking with journalists in his office, Tuesday, dismissed the allegation, describing it as false and misleading.
According to Waiya, the APC was merely inviting individuals who were interested in joining the party to do so voluntarily, without any form of coercion.
“What actually happened is that our party is calling on everyone—government officials and non-government officials alike—who are willing to join the APC to come forward,” he explained. “There is no compulsion whatsoever.”
The commissioner further stressed that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf upholds the principles of freedom of association and political choice, insisting that no individual was forced to act against their will.
In an apparent attempt to calm tensions, Kwankwaso later told his supporters that they were free to defect to the APC if they chose to do so.
“If you are given any document to sign for defection to the APC, you are free to sign it. I have no problem with that,” he said.
