BREAKING: Kwankwaso: He Said We Betrayed Him, We Are Betrayers Because We Defected From NNPP To APC – Bature

Sanusi Bature, spokesman to the Kano State Government, has defended the recent wave of defections from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), dismissing allegations of betrayal leveled against defectors by former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, Bature responded to comments attributed to Kwankwaso in which the NNPP national leader reportedly described politicians and supporters who left the party for the APC as betrayers. The governor’s spokesperson argued that such political movements are a normal part of Nigeria’s democratic process and should not automatically be interpreted as personal disloyalty.

He maintained that defections are driven by individual political decisions, ideological shifts, and strategic alignments, rather than betrayal of any individual leader. According to him, the Nigerian constitution guarantees freedom of association, which includes the right of politicians to join or leave any political party at any time.

Bature stressed that internal disagreements and evolving political interests often influence decisions by politicians to switch parties, especially in a dynamic political environment like Nigeria’s. He noted that political realignments have remained a consistent feature of the country’s democratic history across different electoral cycles.

Responding directly to the accusation of betrayal, Bature insisted that those who moved from the NNPP to the APC acted within their rights and should not be subjected to moral judgment for their choices. He argued that political loyalty should not be interpreted as a permanent obligation when circumstances change within party structures.

In his words, “He said we betrayed him. We are betrayers because we only defected from NNPP to APC,” Bature said while responding to the criticism.

The remarks come amid ongoing political tension within Kano State’s opposition landscape, where the NNPP continues to face internal disputes and defections of key members to the APC. The development has intensified rivalry between both parties, particularly as political stakeholders begin positioning themselves ahead of future elections.

Analysts say the recurring defections highlight deeper issues within party cohesion and leadership structure in opposition parties, especially in states where political influence is strongly tied to individual political figures rather than institutional strength. Kano State, in particular, has remained a major battleground between the NNPP and APC since the last general elections.

Kwankwaso, a former presidential candidate and influential political figure in northern Nigeria, has continued to maintain a strong grip on the NNPP structure, often expressing displeasure over the departure of party members to rival platforms. His camp has repeatedly described such defections as acts of betrayal and political opportunism.