The All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that any individual seeking to join its ranks including Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), must publicly apologise for past derogatory remarks directed at President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and other senior figures in the party.Nigerian cultural tours

This development comes amid growing speculation over Kwankwaso’s potential defection to the ruling party, with reports suggesting President Tinubu may be considering a role for him within his administration.

Speaking on the matter on Friday, Kano State APC Chairman Abdullahi Abbas stressed that while the party remains open to new members, certain conditions must be met. Chief among them, he said, is a apology for past statements.

“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 stated.

He further explained that the APC is actively engaged in efforts to receive decampees from across the political spectrum, and that the party had taken note of the rumours surrounding Kwankwaso’s potential entry.

Abbas said the APC remains Kwankwaso’s last political refuge as he has destroyed his relationships with all other political groupings in the country.

He further said ward chapters had already been instructed to begin the registration of decampees, regardless of their status.

“We have already directed our ward chapters to open registers for new decampees irrespective of their political and social status, in line with our party’s constitution.

“We advise all those desirous of joining our esteemed party to go to their respective wards and register.

“For the purpose of seeking any future party or elective position, any old or new entrants, shall be free to exercise their constitutional rights of voting or being voted for without any special preference,” he added.

Abbas also issued a warning to politicians who may view the APC as a cleansing place from corruption allegations.

“We are fully aware that some people are desperate to join the APC because they have scuttled their political goodwill and have become political lepers in the national scheme of things and are looking to the APC for political relevance.

“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 for refuge in the APC to escape from the fangs of anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and ICPC.

“However, joining APC as a political party is not a panacea for escaping from their past sins,” he said.

He also declared that the APC would not condone the formation of cult-like political groups under its umbrella.

“For the avoidance of doubt, let me emphasize that the APC as a political party does not and will not encourage or promote the existence of cult-like associations in the name of political activities or groupings,” Abbas stated