The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has dismissed claims that its national leader and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, held talks or planned to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, described the reports as false and a calculated attempt by political interests to damage Kwankwaso’s reputation.

Johnson stated that Kwankwaso has neither considered joining the APC nor met with President Bola Tinubu or his associates to discuss defection. According to him, the former governor’s most recent meeting with the president took place in January 2024 and had no connection whatsoever to any defection plan.

“It is unfortunate that such fabricated stories, pushed by individuals posing as authoritative voices, have found their way into the front pages of major newspapers,” he said.

Johnson added that those fuelling the rumours are likely individuals who have already moved to the APC and are now attempting to justify their actions.

He further accused elements within the political elite of deliberately orchestrating a media smear campaign aimed at undermining Kwankwaso and preempting any political alliances capable of challenging the existing power structure.

Describing a recent newspaper report on the alleged collapse of Kwankwaso’s defection plans as “baseless and misleading,” Johnson suggested it was sponsored to tarnish the former governor’s image.

He maintained that Kwankwaso remains a principled politician committed to public service, noting that his strong grassroots support, particularly among ordinary Nigerians, has not been affected by the rumours.

The NNPP urged Nigerians to ignore what it described as coordinated media falsehoods and misleading commentaries surrounding the former governor.