The Kwankwasiyya Movement has firmly rejected widespread reports suggesting that its leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is negotiating a defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the claims as false, speculative, and politically motivated.
Habibu Sale Mohammed, spokesperson, in a statement issued by him, seen by BusinessDay on Tuesday, said Kwankwaso has never held discussions, negotiations, or meetings with the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, or any intermediaries with the aim of defecting from his current political position.
According to the statement, the reports—circulating across sections of the media and political commentary space—lack verifiable facts, credible sources, or direct confirmation from Kwankwaso or his political structure. The movement warned that such narratives risk misleading the public and undermining professional journalism.
“The last formal meeting between Senator Kwankwaso and President Tinubu took place in January 2024, and no discussion whatsoever occurred on defection, political bargaining, or party alignment,” the statement clarified, dismissing claims of alleged demands as “fabrications built on imaginary negotiations.”
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Kwankwasiyya acknowledged that Kwankwaso maintains long-standing relationships across party and ideological lines, noting that such interactions are normal in a democratic setting and should not be misrepresented as political realignment. It cautioned analysts and media organisations against turning routine political engagements into unsubstantiated narratives.
The movement further alleged that the defection rumours form part of a broader smear campaign aimed at weakening Kwankwaso’s political relevance ahead of future realignments. It claimed that some of the voices amplifying the reports are individuals who have either defected to the APC or are seeking to rationalise their own political decisions.
Reaffirming Kwankwaso’s political philosophy, the statement described him as a leader driven by discipline, integrity, and grassroots support rather than elite negotiations or media speculation. It stressed that his political base remains “focused, informed, and resolute.”
The Kwankwasiyya Movement urged Nigerians to disregard what it termed “manufactured analyses and speculative opinions,” insisting that the facts remain unchanged.
“There were no negotiations. There were no demands. There was no discussion of defection,” the statement concluded.
