The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed willingness to welcome former Kano State Governor and 2023 New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, should he choose to return to the ruling party and collaborate with President Bola Tinubu.
This was disclosed by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Show on Monday, following growing speculation over Kwankwaso’s next political steps after the resignation of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as APC National Chairman.
Morka said the APC, as a democratic and inclusive platform, maintains an open-door approach and is receptive to all Nigerians who wish to contribute to its development objectives.
“He is a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Anyone who wishes to join the APC may do so, and this invitation is not limited to Kwankwaso,” Morka remarked.
He acknowledged Kwankwaso’s stature in the national political landscape but stated that there were no exclusive criteria for membership or returnees.
“Kwankwaso is an elite; he is one of Nigeria’s eminent citizens. If tomorrow he decides to join the APC, we will treat that accordingly, just as we have addressed other similar interests in the past,” he added.
Morka’s remarks come in the context of renewed political manoeuvring following Ganduje’s departure from the APC leadership, a development some observers believe may ease longstanding tensions between Ganduje and Kwankwaso, who have been fierce political adversaries in Kano.
Kwankwaso, who initially left the PDP for the APC in 2013 during his second term as governor, returned to the PDP in 2018 alongside several other defecting senators. In 2022, he founded the NNPP and contested the 2023 presidential election, where he secured over 1.4 million votes, placing fourth.
Morka stated that the APC would handle any potential re-entry from Kwankwaso through its established membership procedures.
“We welcome those who align with our values and seek to be part of our party. Our aim is to continue growing and consolidating our presence nationwide,” he said.
