From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
Kano state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has warned the national leader of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabi’u Kwankwaso against promoting his political movement, Kwankwasiyya, if he is joining the party.
Reports have it that rumours were rife recently on the purported defection of Mr Kwankwaso to the ruling party.
But, speaking at a press conference in Kano on Friday, state chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Abbas said though the party would welcome the former governor of the state, it would not encourage him to promote his Kwankwasiyya Movement within the party.
Though he specifically did not mention Kwankwasiyya, Abbas said APC does not recognize “cult-like” associations in the name of political party.
“For the avoidance of doubt, let me emphasize that the APC as a political party does not and will not encourage or promote the existence of cult like associations in the name of political activities or groupings,” he said.
Abbas however, alleged that some politicians are desperate to join APC in a bid to escape from anti-corruption agencies, adding that “joining APC as a political party is not a panacea for escaping from their past sins.
“We are fully aware that some people are desperate to join the APC because they have scuttled their political goodwill and have become political lepers in the national scheme of things and are looking to the APC for political relevance.
“We are also aware that some politicians are trying to run away from accounting for their corrupt misdeeds both in government and party administration, and seeking for refuge in the APC to escape from the fangs of anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and ICPC.
“ However, joining APC as a political party is not a panacea for escaping from their past sins,” Abbas said.
He also explained that APC in Kano had already directed its ward chapters to open registers for new decampees irrespective of their political and social stature and this is in line with its constitution.
“We advise all those desirous of joining our esteemed party to go to their respective wards and register.
“Also, we want to assure our elected party officials from the ward, local government, senatorial and state levels that they will continue to function as provided by the tenure of their office in the party constitution,” he added
