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Kwankwaso’s Alleged Return To APC Triggers Internal Revolt In Kano
The Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) appears to be divided over the possible return of former Kano State Governor and 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to the party.
In a press conference held at the APC headquarters in Kano on Friday, the State Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, confirmed reports that Kwankwaso, who was recently expelled from the NNPP, is making moves to rejoin the APC. Abbas welcomed the development, describing it as a positive step.
“We have received reports that the leader of the NNPP, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who was expelled from his party, is preparing to return to the APC. This is a welcome development—we are happy and pleased about it,” Abbas said.
However, the chairman made it clear that those who previously insulted party leaders and the government, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, must first offer an apology before being considered for re-admittance.
“Anyone who knows they have insulted our leaders, such as President Tinubu and his vice, must go back and apologize to them. It’s not acceptable to accuse and attack them in the past, and now claim you want to come back under their leadership,” he warned.
Abbas emphasized that the APC remains open to new members and has instructed ward and local government executives to begin registering interested individuals.
He added that the party would provide a fair platform for all aspirants, stating, “Anyone who wishes to contest for any position is free to do so—once the people vote for them, so be it.”
He cautioned, however, that the APC would not serve as a refuge for individuals facing legal or ethical challenges.
“We are also aware that some individuals are seeking to join our party for personal reasons—either because they have failed politically at the national or state level, or because they are under investigation by the EFCC or ICPC.
They should know that our party is not a safe haven for thieves and criminals. We will not shield anyone. The law will take its course,” Abbas added.
Despite the chairman’s open arms, some senior party members strongly oppose Kwankwaso’s return.
Speaking to DAILY POST on Thursday, APC spokesman , Ahmed Aruwa flatly rejected the idea.
“We do not welcome him. After committing numerous wrongs against the people, he now seeks to return? We will not accept that,” Aruwa stated.
He pointed to the controversial demolitions carried out by the NNPP-led government in Kano as a key reason for the resistance.
“They demolished shops and destroyed people’s livelihoods out of spite. Now he wants to return to us? We’re not interested,” he said.
Aruwa dismissed the notion that Kwankwaso could strengthen the APC in the face of growing opposition unity.
“We won elections before without him, and Tinubu will win again without him. His return would only cause confusion and unrest in the party,” he argued.
“Even co-wives aren’t kept in the same house to avoid conflict. Kwankwaso should remain in the NNPP. Ganduje is in APC. Even if Abuja accepts him, we in Kano will not,” he declared.
On the other hand, NNPP Kano Chairman Dr. Hashimu Sulaiman Dungurawa told DAILY POST that their members are simply waiting for Kwankwaso’s instructions and will follow him wherever he goes.
“We are blind followers. We don’t recognize anyone but Kwankwaso. Wherever he goes, we’ll follow,” Dungurawa said.
He dismissed the defection rumors as mere speculation. “I only heard the talks on social media. If there’s any truth to it, Kwankwaso himself will speak when the time is right.”
Earlier this week, NNPP spokesperson Ladipo Johnson and party Board of Trustees Secretary Buba Galadima, both allies of Kwankwaso, denied reports that he is planning to defect to the APC.
The NNPP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis between Kwankwaso and party founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, with both camps claiming control of the party.
As of now, Kwankwaso—known for his past criticism of President Tinubu and a political rival of APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje—has yet to publicly respond to the swirling rumors about his political future.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Murtala Garo, has welcomed Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the party.
Garo described the governor’s defection as a positive development for political stability and sustainable growth in the state.
Garo, who is also a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said in a statement on Tuesday that Yusuf’s decision demonstrated political maturity and foresight at a time when Kano and Nigeria require unity and inclusive governance.
“I formally welcome His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, into the All Progressives Congress. This is a significant and commendable step in our collective quest for political stability, inclusive governance and sustainable development in Kano State,” Garo said.
He praised Yusuf’s leadership, noting that his calm disposition and commitment to public welfare distinguish him as a leader willing to place peace and progress above partisan considerations.
“By this decisive action, His Excellency has shown the ability to rise above partisan divides in the interest of peace, progress and unity,” Garo added.
Garo said the governor’s move also reflected an understanding of the political and economic challenges facing Kano State and the country.
He expressed confidence that Yusuf’s entry into the APC would strengthen the party’s reform agenda and enhance cooperation between the state and federal governments.
He also reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and pledged to work with the governor and other stakeholders to promote good governance, political harmony and policies that benefit the people of Kano.
Otunba Adekunle Ojora, a legendary figure in Nigeria’s corporate world and a prominent Lagos traditional leader, has passed away at the age of 93.
According to an official family statement signed by his daughter, Toyin Ojora-Saraki, he died peacefully at his home in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Widely celebrated as one of Nigeria’s most influential corporate leaders of the post-independence era, Otunba Adekunle Ojora carved an exceptional legacy that spanned journalism, public service, politics, and big-ticket corporate governance. He was Chairman of the Board of AGIP Nigeria Limited from 1971 until its acquisition by Unipetrol in 2002.
Ojora’s professional journey began in the early 1950s at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) after studying journalism at Regent Street Polytechnic, London. Rising to the position of assistant editor, he later returned to Nigeria in 1955 to join the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) as a reporter. He later moved to Ibadan, where he served as an information officer in the office of the then regional premier.
In 1961, he transitioned into the corporate world, joining the United African Company (UAC) as Public Relations Manager and becoming an Executive Director in 1962. His interest in commerce and enterprise deepened in the years that followed, marking the start of a lifelong influence in Nigerian boardrooms.
Following the military coup that ended the First Republic, Otunba Ojora was nominated to the Lagos City Council in 1966. In 1967, he held two key appointments: Managing Director of WEMABOD, a regional property and investment company, and Chairman of the Nigerian National Shipping Line, succeeding Chief Kola Balogun.
After leaving WEMABOD, he expanded his footprint as a major investor and entrepreneur. He held significant interests in AGIP Petroleum Marketing, NCR Nigeria, and founded several private firms, including Nigerlink Industries, Unital Builders, and Lagos Investments, a holding company. In the wake of the Nigerian Enterprise Promotion Act, he acquired equity stakes in numerous foreign companies operating in Nigeria, including Bowring Group, Inchcape, Schlumberger, Phoenix Assurance, UTC Nigeria, Evans Brothers, and Seven-Up.
Beyond the boardroom, Otunba Ojora was deeply rooted in tradition. He was the Otunba of Lagos, Lisa of Ife and Olori Omo Oba of Lagos.
He is survived by his wife, Erelu Ojuolape, and children, including, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, wife of former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
The group led by notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji has executed a rival leader, Abdu Lankai, in the Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The incident was disclosed on Wednesday in a post on X by Bakatsine, a journalist who reports on conflict and insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest.
Bakatsine disclosed that Abdu Lankai was reportedly captured on Tuesday afternoon during a reconciliation meeting with rival commanders, Dogo Rabe and Black, both linked to Bello Turji.
He wrote: “Sources confirm the killing of Abdu Lankai, an armed group leader central to enforcing a local peace arrangement in Jibia LGA, Katsina State.
“He was reportedly captured yesterday afternoon during a reconciliation meeting with rival commanders Dogo Rabe and Black, both linked to Bello Turji, and later executed.
“With Lankai gone, can Jibia’s fragile calm hold or does this mark the collapse of the peace deal?”
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