Former Governor of Kano State, Sen Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said that he is still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), even as he confirmed talks between him and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
In an interview with the BBC, Kwankwaso said some weeks ago they launched a group known as ‘The National Movement’, adding that it was from there that the NNPP came about.
Kwankwaso said the new party is for people who believe that there is a need to change the system introduced since 1999 to one that will benefit Nigerians.
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He said there is a need to study what the country can change and get a new focus, but he insisted that he is still in the PDP.
“As we speak, I am still in the PDP. We started the movement step by step. The first is to withdraw to the background, thinking some people within the party will want to hear our grievances, but the party didn’t do anything, we joined the group and the still nothing was done by the party, now we are at the level of a political party.
“Even as I speak with you, we are still between a group and a political party, and I have not left the PDP, but this group has linked up with the NNPP. Whenever I am quitting the PDP you will be among the first to know because we are carefully following our programme.”
Kwamkwaso said that it is not as if he is running with the hare and hunting with the hounds in his relationship with the NNPP and PDP.
“The issue is not about Rabi’u Kwankwaso or Kwankwasiyya movement. It is about ‘The National Movement’ and we are many in it, and most of the people in the movement are big people, so I can’t take any decision alone.”
When asked about the reported dissolution of the NNPP leadership even before they joined, he said: “Actually the party is not ours, but they want us to be involved. That was why they want to bring their representatives and want us to do the same. And their tenure has lapsed and they have all stepped down, including the person that registered it more than 20 years ago. So it a fresh arrangement that they are making to involve all of us, because in most states they don’t have anybody.”
Launching of The National Movement
TNM was launched in February, with Kwankwaso playing a leading role. Those at the launch included Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, former Governor of Kogi State Capt Idris Wada, former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP Rufai Alkali, Aminu Ibrahim Ringim, Buba Galadima, among others.
At the event which took place at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, Kwankwaso said the movement was started by some patriotic Nigerians who were worried about the state of affairs in the country.
