Former Governor of Kano State and National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has decried the ongoing wave of defections by opposition politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He described the development as the worst political sin and the highest level of betrayal of the people, stating that the defectors were selfish.
Kwankwaso made the remark at his Miller Road residence in Kano on Friday evening when he received hundreds of supporters of Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila from Takai Local Government who refused to follow the senator to the APC.
Kawu, who represents Kano South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, and some other NNPP national and state lawmakers recently defected to the APC in Kano and Bauchi states.
Though Kwankwaso did not mention the defectors by name, he said, “Kano South is a lesson. Voters rejected spaghetti, N200, and atamfa (wrappers) and were patient enough to vote for the NNPP.
“But those who won the election among us decided to abandon the masses and join those who do not have the people at heart but are only after what they will gain for themselves and their families.
“There is no worse political sin than leaving the party that gave you the opportunity and support, only to later abandon it. This is the highest level of betrayal.”
He advised the youth to be wary of such politicians, who are not after their well-being but only interested in enriching themselves.
The former governor, who appreciated the NNPP members for having the courage to remain in the party, said all those who betrayed the Kwankwasiyya Movement would regret their actions sooner or later.
“Fighting Kwankwasiyya is not an easy task; they will not realise it until they engage in the fight,” he said.
In his remarks, the Kano State NNPP Chairman, Hashimu Dungurawa, commended the party members for taking the right step and assured them that the party would treat them fairly
