A fresh wave of political tension has hit the All Progressives Congress (APC) following reports that former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, may be seeking to return to the ruling party.
Reacting to the development, the Minister of State for Housing, Hon. Yusuf Ata Abdullahi, on Tuesday strongly opposed the idea, warning that Kwankwaso’s return could trigger internal crises in the party’s Kano State chapter.
Speaking to journalists after a closed-door meeting with APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, Abdullahi declared that the influence of the Kwankwasiyya movement — once symbolized by its trademark red cap — has waned in Kano.
He said: “The red cap is disappearing from Kano. “Before the last election, they were everywhere — in mosques, on the streets. Today, if 5,000 people gather to pray, you may not find even 20 wearing it.”
Abdullahi insisted that the APC in Kano is unified in its rejection of Kwankwaso’s return, stating that such a move is unsolicited and may destabilize the state’s political structure.
He assured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the Kano APC’s loyalty, stressing that the grassroots are solidly behind the party’s current leadership.
He said: “Kwankwaso is struggling to be accommodated in the APC — he is no longer relevant in Kano politics.
“His movement is dead. He is not an alternative anymore, and we do not need him.”
When asked if he would personally support Kwankwaso’s return, Abdullahi responded bluntly: “Unless our leader, Ganduje, decides otherwise, I will not be happy. I’ve known Kwankwaso since 1999. He is no longer politically attractive in Kano.”
Abdullahi also praised President Tinubu’s support for Kano, citing key federal appointments from the state and affirming the party’s commitment to delivering victory in 2027.
In contrast, APC National Chairman, Ganduje, appeared more conciliatory. Using a metaphor, he likened Kwankwaso’s situation to that of a fish searching for water.
Ganduje said: “When a fish is running out of water, it looks for where it can survive.
“If your brother is seeking shelter and you have a big house, it is morally right to accommodate him. A friend in need is a friend indeed.”
Kwankwaso, a former APC chieftain who later founded the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has not officially declared any intention to return to the APC.
However, recent speculation about backchannel negotiations has stirred heated debate within the party, particularly among Kano stakeholders.
