Defection, most extreme level of betrayal—Kwankwaso

Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State and national head of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, has lamented the continuous flood of opposition leaders defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

He denounced the development as the worst political fault and the worst betrayal of the country, claiming that the defectors were selfish.

Kwankwaso made the comment on Friday evening at his Miller Road mansion in Kano, where he met with hundreds of Takai Local Government supporters of Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila who refused to join the APC.

Kawu and several other NNPP national and state lawmakers recently defected to the APC in Kano and Bauchi states, representing the Kano South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

Although Kwankwaso did not name the defectors, he did say, “Kano South is a lesson.” Voters rejected spaghetti, N200, and atamfa (wrappers) but were patient enough to vote for the NNPP.

“But those who won the election among us chose to abandon the masses in favour of those who do not care about them and are only concerned with what they can gain for themselves and their families.”

“There is no worse political sin than quitting the party that provided you with opportunities and support, only to subsequently forsake it. Such behaviour is the ultimate form of betrayal.”

He cautioned the youth to be wary of self-serving politicians.

The former governor stated that all those who betrayed the Kwankwasiyya Movement will come to regret their actions, and he praised the NNPP members for having the bravery to remain in the party.

“Fighting Kwankwasiyya is not an easy task; they will not realise it until they engage in a fight,” he told me.

Hashimu Dungurawa, the Kano State NNPP Chairman, praised the party members for taking the appropriate action and told them that the party will treat them equitably.