Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has strongly criticized politicians who defect to rival parties after securing electoral victories, calling such actions the “greatest political sin” in a democratic system.

 

Speaking on Friday in Kano while welcoming a group of new NNPP members from Takai Local Government Area of Kano South to his residence on Miller Road, Kwankwaso denounced recent defections from the NNPP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), including that of Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila and Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum.

 

Reflecting on previous election cycles, particularly in 2019 and 2023, Kwankwaso described each political contest as a learning opportunity for the movement, which he said has grown stronger and more resilient.

 

He emphasized that the Kwankwasiyya movement remains committed to grassroots empowerment and is not driven by financial inducements. “This movement is for the people. It is not about money. Some people collected spaghetti and N2,000 to elect someone. But in Kano, the poor stood firm. If it had been left to those selling their votes, the NNPP wouldn’t have won,” he said.

 

Kwankwaso condemned politicians who switch allegiance after benefiting from popular support, branding such moves as a betrayal of the electorate. “This is the highest form of betrayal in a democratic setting. When vulnerable people vote for you and you turn around to join their oppressors, it is a political sin of the highest order,” he declared.

 

He warned against underestimating the strength of the Kwankwasiyya movement, describing it as a formidable political force. “Fighting the Kwankwasiyya movement is a grave mistake. One may not understand until he engages in that fight—and then he’ll realize how tough it is,” he said.

 

Calling for continued unity and vigilance, Kwankwaso urged his supporters to intensify grassroots mobilization and stay focused on the movement’s core values of social justice and service to the underprivileged.

 

“Whether you got an appointment or not, whether you got a contract or not, we are all in this for the right reasons. The poor now understand everything, and that is our strength,” he concluded, congratulating the new members on joining the NNPP.