The New Nigeria Peoples Party has dismissed comments by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who claimed that NNPP is “dead” and that its national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is planning to rejoin the APC.

NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, in an interview with The PUNCH, described Ganduje’s remarks as “inconsequential” and “panic-driven,” affirming that Kwankwaso remains committed to strengthening the NNPP.

“Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso has not—repeat, not—indicated any intention to join the APC,” Johnson said. “He is focused on rebuilding and fortifying the NNPP, and is currently consulting with Nigerians across different sectors on how best to reposition the party for 2027.”

He added that Ganduje’s remarks stem from a fear of Kwankwaso’s political influence, noting, “He is in panic mode because he knows that Kwankwaso adds more value to any political space than he could ever contribute.”

Ganduje had earlier stirred controversy on Tuesday while receiving members of the Tinubu Support Group at the APC national secretariat in Abuja.

The former Kano governor claimed the NNPP was “dead,” adding that the APC was ready to “welcome Kwankwaso back home.”

“The coffin has already been constructed. What remains now is to dig the grave,” Ganduje said. “Kwankwaso wants to come back, and we will welcome him.”

However, the NNPP has continued to push back. In Osun, the NNPP State Chairman, Dr. Tosin Odeyemi, criticised Ganduje’s remarks, saying the APC had no moral right to boast given the prevailing socio-economic challenges in the country.

“Ganduje should be concerned about the APC’s failures rather than making baseless claims,” Odeyemi said in a statement. “Kwankwaso is too visionary to align with a party like the APC that has brought untold hardship on Nigerians.”

He said the APC chairman was out of touch with reality and attempting to lure influential figures like Kwankwaso into a party “riddled with disappointment.”

“Ganduje’s followers in Kano are probably misleading him for financial favours,” Odeyemi added. “Kwankwaso will not associate with the kind of political actors currently in the APC.”

Meanwhile, the Kano State chapter of the APC has dismissed speculation that Kwankwaso may return to the party, branding him a “political liability.”

APC’s Kano Public Relations Officer, Ahmed S. Aruwa, told The PUNCH that Kwankwaso’s potential return would not benefit the APC or Kano State.

“Kwankwaso has a track record of destroying parties. He wrecked the PDP, left it in crisis, and is now doing the same to the NNPP,” Aruwa said. “We don’t need him in APC.”

He alleged that Kwankwaso’s interest in returning to the APC was purely strategic, aimed at contesting the presidency in 2031 after President Bola Tinubu’s second term.

“We know his game. He wants to hijack the party structure through the back door,” Aruwa claimed. “From 2019 to 2023, we toiled to build the APC while he insulted and mocked us. We won’t allow him to ruin the party.”

Aruwa concluded that Kwankwaso must first reconcile with Ganduje before any potential return to the party could be considered.

“If he truly wants to return, he should start by meeting and reconciling with Ganduje,” Aruwa stated.