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El-Rufai, Kwankwaso Meet In Abuja Amid Defection Rumours to APC

Published

3 weeks ago

Apr 27, 2025.

El-Rufai and Kwankwaso meet in Abuja amid defection talks.
NNPP confirms ongoing talks, weighing multiple political options.
Kwankwaso’s final decision expected after administration’s midterm.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Friday, met with the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in Abuja, fueling fresh speculation that Kwankwaso may soon defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that according to Leadership Newspaper, the two political heavyweights were seen together after attending Jumaat prayers at a mosque in Abuja. El-Rufai, accompanied by his eldest son, Bello El-Rufai, exchanged pleasantries with the former Kano State Governor in what appeared to be a warm interaction.

Naija News reports that the meeting has intensified speculation about Kwankwaso’s political future, with sources suggesting he may soon announce a move to the APC alongside his NNPP supporters.

Reports indicate that Kwankwaso and the NNPP are currently reviewing their political strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections. Options on the table include forming an alliance with President Bola Tinubu’s APC or joining forces with the opposition coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

A source familiar with the discussions, who spoke to The Punch on the condition of anonymity, said it was unlikely that Kwankwaso and the NNPP would contest the 2027 elections independently, as they did in 2023.

“What I can confirm is that Kwankwaso and the NNPP will not contest independently as they did in the 2023 elections. Considering the current political landscape, they are weighing the possibility of either joining President Tinubu’s APC or aligning with the coalition led by Atiku, El-Rufai, and others,” the source revealed.

Speaking with The Punch, the NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, also confirmed that discussions are ongoing. He explained that the party traditionally waits until midterm — around May 29 — before making major political decisions.

“Well, so far, what I’ll say is this: in the NNPP, we tend to, at least from our own history as the Kwankwasiyya movement, wait till midterm. May 29th will mark the midterm of this administration. It will be two years down and two years to go. That is when we believe proper politicking should commence,” Johnson said.

He added, “Yes, we are talking and have been talking. But as I stated earlier, I won’t mention specific groups, persons, or movements in conversation with us. That remains our position.”

Johnson dismissed some of the media reports suggesting that Kwankwaso’s defection to the APC is imminent, attributing them to political interests pushing various narratives.

El-Rufai, Kwankwaso Meet In Abuja

“But the bottom line is that very soon, our supporters will hear directly from us. There are essentially three options: either we remain in the NNPP, form a coalition with Atiku and others, or align with the ruling APC. I am not confirming any of these yet. These are simply the possibilities before us,” he concluded.

As Nigeria’s political landscape heats up ahead of the 2027 elections, Kwankwaso’s next move remains a critical factor to watch.