Kwankwaso writes off PDP as APC chieftain cautions President on NNPP leader

New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) National Leader, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, yesterday, described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a “dead party.” He criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) as well, highlighting a disconnect between its leadership and the realities facing Nigerians, including rising insecurity, poverty and hunger.

Kwankwaso, who spoke at his party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, emphasised that despite prevailing numerous challenges, the ruling party in Kano State was becoming the fastest-growing political grouping in the country.

He expressed confidence in the NNPP’s upward trajectory, thanking supporters for their commitment. Kwankwaso said: “I’m pleased to say that, despite all the challenges, today our party is the fastest growing party in this country. I remember when I visited Katsina State to open our state office, I mentioned that the two parties, especially the PDP, were dead, and there were so many concerns within the PDP fold.

“I’m sure when I was making that statement, many of them did not see what was happening today, that the party was being made into pieces. The party is imploding, and therefore, if they didn’t understand at that time, now I believe they will agree with all of us that the party was dead.

“The APC, as it stands today, you can see that the leadership is just up there in the air, and the entire nation, the people of this country are on the ground.

“At that level, whether they believe they are doing well, but all of us, especially the voters in this country, believe that they are performing very, very badly, especially if you look at the issue of security, the issue of the level of poverty in this country, and of course the issue of hunger that we are witnessing in this country.”

MEANWHILE, a former commissioner in the Dr Abdulahi Ganduje administration as governor of Kano State, Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, has urged President Ahmed Tinubu to be wary of the NNPP chief following rumours of his alleged plan to collapse the NNPP into the APC in exchange for a reported ministerial post and other positions for his supporters in the Federal Government.

He told newsmen in Kano that “it is no longer news that the President is meeting with Kwankwaso regarding the possible merger of his party with the ruling APC. However, this should be done with care and caution.”

The politician explained: “The President would do well to include Kano APC leaders in all discussions with Kwankwaso, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, House Majority Leader Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi, State Minister for Housing, Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo, State APC Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, and other elected officials, especially the National Chairman of APC, Dr Umar Ganduje.”

He stated: “The reason I say this is because I know the kind of person Kwankwaso is. It would not be difficult for him to betray the talks, even with the President. Therefore, the presence of party leaders, especially from Kano, is necessary as witnesses.

“President Tinubu should be aware that Kwankwaso is leaving the NNPP because many of his party loyalists, including some elected officials from Nasarawa State, are defecting to the APC.

“Even in Kano, Kwankwaso’s stronghold, the NNPP, is gradually losing relevance, with many leaving the party, and some top elected National Assembly members are also said to be on their way out.”

“President Tinubu, as a professional and sound politician, surely understands why Kwankwaso is now jittery. He is losing his political relevance, and that is why he is ready to accept any position offered by the APC government.”