Kwankwaso Needs Our Structure To Boost Political Relevance – APC

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso to abandon what it described as a “regional experiment” and align with the APC if he seeks to maintain political relevance on the national stage.

In a statement on Friday, the Lagos APC Spokesman, Seye Oladejo, argued that Kwankwaso’s New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) lacks the national reach and institutional strength required to compete effectively in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.

“The truth, which even Kwankwaso himself cannot deny, is that the NNPP has become little more than a regional experiment – spirited, yes, but without the spread, depth, or resilience required to thrive on the national stage.

“The NNPP’s limitations are obvious, and to continue in denial is to waste the loyalty of his teeming followers on a platform that cannot carry them far,” the statement read.

The APC described itself as the “most formidable political family” capable of amplifying Kwankwaso’s political ambition, adding that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had lost credibility due to internal divisions and declining public trust.

“For a politician of Kwankwaso’s stature, only the APC has the structure and vision capable of amplifying his relevance and securing his legacy,” Oladejo stated.

“PDP is a sinking ship. Other opposition parties are scattered bands of frustrated defectors.”

The party’s overture comes amid speculation that Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor and 2023 presidential candidate under the NNPP, is considering a return to the APC — a party he helped found in 2013 before later defecting.

Kwankwaso confirmed last week he was open to rejoining the APC but insisted on “strong promises” and clearly defined terms.

Speaking in Kano while receiving APC members and political allies, he reminded observers of his pivotal role in building the APC from its inception.

“Nobody in the country will tell me the burden we took in creating APC. We were the ones who led the creation of the party, and we were the first set of seven governors to declare support for it. ICPC, EFCC, and the police were all used against me then, just to stop our plans,” Kwankwaso said.

He emphasised that any talks of alliance or reintegration must come with guarantees for the NNPP’s structure and supporters nationwide.

“If you are asking us to join APC, you must tell us what NNPP will gain. We have gubernatorial candidates in all the states and full structures nationwide,” he declared.

Kwankwaso also warned that the NNPP would not accept any arrangement where it would be used and dumped.

“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us,” he noted.

While the Lagos APC insists that joining the ruling party is not just the best bet, but the only bet for Kwankwaso, the NNPP leader appears unwilling to return without negotiated concessions that guarantee the future of his political base.