The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) caucus in the House of Representatives has dismissed speculations that more of its members are preparing to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting they remain firmly loyal to the party’s national leader and former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the Kwankwasiya Movement.
Rising from an emergency meeting at the National Assembly complex on Thursday, the lawmakers said the reports were being circulated by political opponents unsettled by the growing influence and cohesion of the NNPP, particularly in Kano State.
Their clarification follows the defection of two NNPP lawmakers—Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin (Kiru/Bebeji) and Hon. Sagir Koki (Kano Municipal)—who formally joined the APC on Thursday.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, spokesperson of the caucus, Hon. Garba Diso, described the rumoured defection of additional NNPP legislators as “baseless and mischievous”, saying members remain united behind the Kwankwasiya ideology.
“We, the Members of the House of Representatives who proudly identify with the Kwankwasiya Movement and belong to the New Nigeria People’s Party, reaffirm our total and unwavering loyalty to our party and its visionary leadership,” the caucus declared in a statement.
The lawmakers emphasised that their routine engagement with colleagues across party lines must not be interpreted as political disloyalty or preparation for defection. Such interactions, they said, reflect their constitutional mandate to pursue bipartisan cooperation for national development.
“We remain steadfast in our allegiance to the NNPP and the Kwankwasiya ideology, which stands for justice, equity, inclusiveness, and people-centred governance. No amount of misinformation or propaganda will shake our faith in the movement or its leadership,” they stated.
They further pledged commitment to advancing effective governance, quality education, accessible healthcare, youth empowerment, and improved living standards for Nigerians.
Signatories to the statement include Hon. Dr Ghali Mustapha Tijjani, Hon. Rabi’u Yusuf, Hon. Abdulhakeem Kamilu Ado, Hon. Hassan Muhammad Danjuma, Hon. Muhammad Bello Shehu, Hon. Datti Yusuf, Hon. Sani Wakili, Hon. DanKawu Idris, Hon. Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe, Hon. Hassan Hussain, Hon. Mukhtar Umar Yarima, and Hon. Muhammed Garba Chiroma.
Their statement came moments after the defection of Jibrin and Koki was formally announced on the floor of the House—an event witnessed by several senior APC figures, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau; and the party’s current and former national chairmen, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.
