The Kwankwasiyya Movement has dismissed as false and misleading reports suggesting that its leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, engaged in negotiations or made demands to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Dr. Habibu Sale Mohammed, the movement said it had observed with concern the growing circulation of speculative media reports and political commentaries alleging that Kwankwaso was in talks with the APC or President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over a possible defection.
According to the movement, Senator Kwankwaso has never at any time held discussions, negotiations, or meetings with the APC, President Tinubu, or any intermediary for the purpose of defecting to the ruling party.
“These claims are entirely false, baseless, and deliberately misleading,” the statement said.
The movement criticized sections of the media for amplifying what it described as unverified allegations without credible sources or direct confirmation from the senator or his political structure. It urged journalists and media organisations to uphold professional ethics by relying on verifiable facts rather than speculation or political gossip.
Clarifying the facts surrounding a widely referenced meeting, the Kwankwasiyya Movement stated that the last formal interaction between Senator Kwankwaso and President Tinubu took place in January 2024. It emphasized that the meeting did not involve any discussion on defection, political bargaining, or party realignment.
The statement noted that Senator Kwankwaso maintains long-standing personal and political relationships across party lines, stressing that such interactions are normal in a democratic system and should not be misinterpreted as evidence of political negotiations.
The movement further alleged that the reports formed part of a broader attempt by some political actors to discredit Kwankwaso ahead of future political realignments, describing the narratives as a coordinated smear campaign aimed at undermining his national stature and political relevance.
It added that some of those promoting the defection claims were individuals who had themselves defected to the APC and were attempting to justify their decisions through what it termed “revisionist storytelling.”
Reaffirming Kwankwaso’s political stance, the movement described him as a principled politician whose strength derives from grassroots support rather than elite consensus or media speculation. It insisted that his political base remains focused and unaffected by what it called orchestrated narratives.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement called on Nigerians to disregard the reports, reiterating that there were no negotiations, no demands, and no discussions regarding defection.
“Kwankwasiyya remains steadfast, the people remain resolute, and the truth will ultimately prevail,” the statement concluded.