Jibrin made the remarks on Wednesday while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, where he highlighted the concerns of some stakeholders in the party, especially in Kano.
Stakeholders Oppose Move
According to Jibrin, many within the Kano APC structure are reluctant to welcome Kwankwaso, particularly those with gubernatorial ambitions who see his entry as a threat to their political future.
“If you say Kwankwaso is moving into APC, or we are moving to APC, even within the APC in Kano, you have a lot of people that wouldn’t want him to come — perhaps those who want to be governor, or those who don’t want to be governor,” Jibrin said.
Still a Complex Process
The lawmaker, however, clarified that discussions regarding Kwankwaso’s political alignment are still ongoing and have not reached a conclusion.
He added that his personal focus has always been on ensuring political stability in both Kano State and Nigeria at large.
“I’ve tried to ensure that in the interest of Kano, and by extension, Nigeria, there is some sort of stability in our polity. It is quite a complex process. But everyone knows that I’ve always advocated, even right from the beginning of the government, for us to work with a government of national unity,” Jibrin explained.
Background
Kwankwaso, a two-term former governor of Kano State and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, has remained a key figure in Nigeria’s political landscape. Speculation about his defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the APC has been a subject of intense debate, especially in Kano, where he commands a strong political base.
Kogi Tribune notes that Kwankwaso’s potential move to the APC could significantly reshape political calculations in Kano and beyond, though resistance from within the ruling party suggests the road to such a defection may not be smooth.