The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has denied reports claiming that Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso asked for the vice-presidential slot as a condition to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party said the reports are false and meant to damage the image of the former Kano State governor.
- Buhari Regretted Not Doing More on Security – Gambari
- Luis Enrique welcomes Ligue 1 challenge from Lens
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, NNPP said Mr Kwankwaso has never planned to join the APC and has never held talks with President Bola Tinubu or his aides about defecting.
“The claim that Kwankwaso demanded the vice-presidential slot to join APC is a blatant lie,” Mr Johnson said.
“He has never considered leaving the NNPP for the APC.”
Mr Johnson said the last meeting between Mr Kwankwaso and President Tinubu was in January 2024 and that no discussion about defection took place.
“The last time he met with the President was in January 2024, and there was no discussion whatsoever about defecting to the APC,” he said.
The NNPP spokesman added that those spreading the rumours are likely politicians who wanted to move to the APC themselves.
“Those spreading these stories are probably people who planned to defect and have now done so,” he said.
He accused some political elites of sponsoring false reports to weaken Mr Kwankwaso ahead of future political moves.
“This is a sponsored attempt to tarnish his image and block any strong alliance that could challenge the current power structure,” Mr Johnson said.
The party urged Nigerians to ignore the reports, insisting that Mr Kwankwaso remains focused on serving the people.
“We call on Nigerians to disregard these misleading stories,” he added.