Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is no stranger to Nigeria’s political landscape. From being a two-time governor of Kano State to serving as Minister of Defence, Senator, and more recently, presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections, he has carved a reputation as a bold and fiercely independent political figure.
But in recent days, his name began trending—for the wrong reasons.
A lengthy statement attributed to him began circulating online, claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had personally begged him to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The statement even quoted Tinubu allegedly saying: “All terms will be fulfilled; all conditions will be like pupils in your hands.”
The alleged speech painted a dramatic picture—of Kwankwaso rejecting the President’s overtures and vowing to quit politics altogether rather than rejoin the APC. It was juicy, provocative, and politically loaded—but completely false.
Kwankwaso wasted no time in setting the record straight. On May 17, he took to his official X (formerly Twitter)account to categorically disown the viral statement, describing it as “false, unfounded, and a product of political mischief.”
“My attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly stating my position on the recurring political realignments in Nigeria. I wish to categorically state that such statements are false,” he wrote.
To further reinforce the message, Ladipo Johnson, the NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, issued a follow-up press release, describing the post as a “hatchet narrative with negative political objectives.”
Johnson urged Nigerians to disregard such fake reports and rely only on Kwankwaso’s verified social media pages or official party channels for accurate updates.
For many who follow Nigerian politics closely, this clarification comes as no surprise. Kwankwaso has often been targeted with misinformation—likely a consequence of his rising influence ahead of the 2027 elections. He remains a major player in the northern political arena and a thorn in the side of both the APC and PDP establishments.
For his supporters, the recent saga is a reminder of the need for discernment in an age of political propaganda. And for Kwankwaso, it’s business as usual: steady, focused, and not easily swayed by rumors.
As the 2027 race begins to heat up, one thing is certain—Kwankwaso isn’t done yet. But whatever path he chooses, it will be on his terms, not through the pages of a fake press release.
