The leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement and 2023 flagbearer of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has condemned politicians who defect to rival parties after benefitting from the support of the masses, describing such action as the greatest political sin.

Kwankwaso slams politicians dumping NNPP for APC

Kwankwaso made the remarks in Kano while receiving scores of defectors from Takai local government area of Kano South into the NNPP at his Miller Road residence.

This came days after Senator Kawu Samaila of Kano South, among many others, officially defected from the NNPP to the APC.

The former Kano state governor recounted the resilience of the Kwankwasiyya movement despite attempts to derail it in the past, especially in 2015.

Kwankwaso reflected on past electoral experiences, noting that each election had served as a lesson.

“We all know the history of this movement. Unfortunately, in 2015, some individuals joined us with dishonest intentions. They brought disunity and tried to destabilize the movement. But thank God, the movement did not derail,” he said.

Kwankwaso: Defectors to APC will regret betraying Kwankwasiyya

He emphasized that the Kwankwasiyya movement is people-centered and not driven by financial inducement.

Continuing, Kwankwaso criticized those who, after winning elections on the back of mass support, betrayed the people by defecting to opposition camps.

“This is the highest form of betrayal in a democratic setting. I don’t know of any greater political sin than when vulnerable people vote for you—rejecting deceivers and enemies of progress—and you turn around to join those same enemies after winning. Had the people known, they wouldn’t have voted for you,” he stated.

He urged aspiring leaders to take heed of the political lessons from Kano, warning against undermining the Kwankwasiyya movement.

“Fighting the Kwankwasiyya movement is a grave mistake for any politician. One may not understand until he engages in that fight—and then he’ll realize how tough it is to battle a solid wall,” Kwankwaso said.

Kwankwaso concluded by congratulating the new members for joining the NNPP, expressing optimism that the movement would continue to grow and benefit all.