Abdulmajid Kwamanda, a prominent leader of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano, expressed
his strong opposition to Bola
Tinubu, the president-elect, considering Rabiu Kwankwaso, the candidate of the
New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), for a government appointment. This statement
came after reports from TheCable surfaced, revealing a meeting between Tinubu
and Kwankwaso in France, where the possibility of Kwankwaso joining Tinubu’s
cabinet after assuming office later in the month was discussed.
In the presidential election, Kwankwaso only managed to
secure victory in Kano. Addressing journalists in Kano on a Thursday, Kwamanda
made it clear that the entire APC in the north-west region would not be
receptive to Kwankwaso. He went on to caution that if the president-elect
considers appointing the NNPP candidate to a government portfolio, the party in
the north-west would withdraw its support.
“We, in the north-west, do not welcome Rabiu Musa
Kwankwaso to our party, the APC. We absolutely reject the idea of Bola Tinubu
granting him any appointment, even if it is as low as a messenger in our
esteemed party,” Kwamanda declared firmly.
He further stated, “If Tinubu disregards our outcry and
appoints Kwankwaso, we will disrupt the entire APC in the north and withdraw
our support for him. Even if Tinubu becomes president, he won’t be able to
extinguish the fire if we set the party ablaze. We are the north, and these
people are our people.”
Kwamanda emphasized the dedication, integrity, and dignity
that the party members in the north had invested in mobilizing the people to
vote for Tinubu. He expressed their disappointment that the people refused to
vote for a fellow northerner, only for Tinubu to now embrace their major opposition.
Such a scenario was deemed unacceptable by the leader, and he assured Tinubu
that they would turn their backs on him if he ignored their appeal.
“We do not welcome Kwankwaso to our party, and we will
not allow him to be given any appointments,” Kwamanda reiterated, sending
a clear message to Tinubu and the APC leadership.
