- The Kwankwasiyya Movement rejected claims made by Kano State Government House spokesperson Sanusi Bature, describing them as false and misleading
- Its National Coordinator Habeeb Saleh Mohammed insisted that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso remained a dominant political force in Kano and northern Nigeria
- The movement dismissed reports of political isolation, defections or secret alliances, insisting it remained united and focused on its political ideology
The Kwankwasiyya Movement has strongly rejected claims made by the Director-General, Media and Publicity at the Kano State Government House, Sanusi Bature, describing his recent comments on Arise Television as misleading and false.
The rebuttal was issued by the National Coordinator of the movement, Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, during an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, where he accused Bature of misrepresenting facts concerning the political influence and alliances of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Mohammed insisted that Kwankwaso remains a dominant political figure in Kano State and across northern Nigeria, rejecting suggestions that the former governor is politically isolated.
He argued that recent political developments in the state demonstrate Kwankwaso’s continued grassroots support and influence, claiming that opposition parties have struggled to maintain relevance following his departure from their structures.
“In Kano, even with ADC, and most recently when we shifted to NDC, my boss has virtually become the centre of politics,” he said, adding that political activities in the state often revolve around Kwankwaso’s movement.
He also claimed that large crowds continue to follow the former governor wherever he goes, describing this as evidence of his sustained popularity among supporters.
“Recent events in Kano show that when my boss is coming, people troop out in numbers,” he stated.
On allegations surrounding Kwankwaso’s political relationship with former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during the 2023 elections, Mohammed said both politicians did not have sufficient time to fully align their political interests.
He explained that while both leaders had significant support bases, circumstances at the time made a formal alliance difficult.
“At that time, they did not even have the time to evaluate themselves or decide clearly whether they were on the same page,” he said.
Mohammed also maintained that Kwankwaso remains open to political collaboration, arguing that Nigeria’s current political environment requires broader alliances to address national challenges.
He dismissed suggestions that Kwankwaso was working secretly with President Bola Tinubu or the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing such claims as politically motivated attempts to damage his reputation.
“This is just a desperate attempt to smear his name. But Kwankwaso has never hidden anything,” he said.
He further insisted that the Kwankwasiyya Movement operates on collective decision-making and not unilateral political arrangements, adding that rumours of covert negotiations or defection plans were false.
According to him, recent claims linking Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf or other political actors to defection talks were also misleading and intended to distort public perception.
Mohammed also dismissed reports suggesting that Kwankwaso sought political appointments or negotiated deals with the APC, stressing that no such directives were ever given.
He argued that Kwankwaso has remained consistent in his political career, noting that he has left major political parties in the past based on principle rather than personal interest.
Defending the movement’s structure, he said Kwankwaso’s political ideology is built on discipline, loyalty and consultation, and cannot be influenced through indirect or external pressure.
He also criticised Governor Yusuf’s political handling of internal matters, claiming it showed a misunderstanding of the Kwankwasiyya system, which he said has been built over decades.
Mohammed further alleged that some narratives being circulated about Kwankwaso were part of a coordinated attempt to weaken his political influence ahead of future elections, but insisted such efforts would not succeed.
He concluded that the Kwankwasiyya Movement remains united and focused, adding that it would not be distracted by what he described as propaganda or political distractions.