By Mo Hanif
The Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that former governor and factional leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, must first tender a public apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and other party leaders before being considered for admission into the ruling party.
Addressing the media on Friday, the Kano State APC Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, made it clear that while the party is open to political realignments and welcomes decampees from other platforms, it will not compromise its values of loyalty, respect, and discipline to accommodate politicians who previously vilified the leadership.
“We unequivocally call on all those prospective decampees who have earlier made derogatory statements against our leaders, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his deputy, Senator Kashim Shettima, to offer a public apology as a sign of remorse and respect for future relationships,” Abbas said.
He acknowledged the rising speculation surrounding Kwankwaso’s potential return to the APC but emphasized that political desperation cannot erase the past without accountability. According to him, Kwankwaso has alienated himself from other political groupings and is now seeking refuge in the APC as his last political option.
“APC remains his last bus stop. He has burnt bridges with all other political actors and groupings. We know those who are running away from their political misdeeds and seeking to hide behind the walls of the APC to evade justice,” he stated.
Abbas stressed that the party is not a haven for politicians trying to avoid the consequences of past corrupt practices, warning that neither the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) nor the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) would be kept at bay simply by donning the APC colours.
“We are also aware that some politicians are trying to run away from accounting for their corrupt misdeeds both in government and party administration, and seeking refuge in the APC to escape from the fangs of anti-corruption agencies. However, joining the APC is not a panacea for escaping their past sins,” he noted.
The APC chairman further announced that all ward chapters in Kano have been directed to open registration for new members, regardless of status, urging those who truly wish to be part of the progressive fold to begin their political journey at the grassroots level.
He concluded with a stern warning that the party will not tolerate cult-like political associations or factions under any guise, reiterating the party’s resolve to uphold its constitution and ideology.
As speculations continue to swirl over Kwankwaso’s next political move, Kano APC’s position sends a clear message: repentance, not just relevance, is the currency for political redemption in the APC.