The Kwankwasiyya Movement has firmly dismissed reports suggesting that its leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is negotiating a defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the claims as speculative, false and deliberately misleading.
In a press statement issued , the movement said Senator Kwankwaso had “never at any time” held discussions or negotiations with the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, or any intermediary with the intention of defecting from his political platform.
According to the statement, the reports circulating in sections of the media, including televised commentaries and opinion analyses, lack factual basis and are not supported by verifiable evidence or credible sources.
“The allegations are entirely false, baseless, and capable of damaging reputations while misleading the public,” the movement said.
Media Ethics Questioned
The Kwankwasiyya Movement expressed concern over what it described as a growing trend of unverified political reporting, urging journalists and media organisations to adhere strictly to professional ethics.
It noted that claims of such political significance should not be published without confirmation from primary sources or the individual concerned, warning against the use of speculation and elite gossip presented as insider information.
“Journalism remains a noble profession anchored on investigation, balance and factual accuracy, not conjecture,” the statement added.
January 2024 Meeting Clarified
Addressing references to a meeting between Senator Kwankwaso and President Tinubu, the movement clarified that their last formal engagement took place in January 2024 and did not involve any discussion on defection, political bargaining or party alignment.
It dismissed reports alleging that Senator Kwankwaso made demands or overreached himself as “fabrications built on imaginary negotiations that never occurred.”
The movement explained that Senator Kwankwaso maintains long-standing relationships across party lines, noting that such interactions are normal in a democratic system and should not be misinterpreted.
Alleged Political Smear Campaign
The statement further alleged that the defection rumours are part of a coordinated political effort to discredit Senator Kwankwaso ahead of future political realignments and weaken his national influence.
It claimed that some of those promoting the narratives are individuals who have either defected or intend to defect to the APC and are seeking to justify their decisions through what it termed “revisionist storytelling.”
Political Base Remains Firm
Reaffirming Kwankwaso’s political stance, the movement described him as a politician guided by discipline, integrity and principle, whose strength derives from grassroots support rather than elite arrangements.
It said his supporters remain focused and unmoved by what it called orchestrated narratives and unfounded conclusions.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement called on Nigerians to disregard the reports, stressing that the facts remain unchanged.
“There were no negotiations. There were no demands. There was no discussion of defection,” the statement concluded.
The statement was signed by Dr. Habibu Sale Mohammed, Spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
