The leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Wednesday, accused Kano State Government of Governor Abba Yusuf of  forcing state officials and elected local government chairmen to sign documents indicating their defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party to the All Progressives Congress.

But in a swift reaction, Kano State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, dismissed the allegation,  saying participation in the defection plan is entirely voluntary.

Speaking to The PUNCH on Wednesday, Waiya said, “What exactly happened is that our party is asking everybody—not only government officials—who are willingly ready to join APC to do so. But nobody is being compelled, contrary to what has been reported.”

Kwankwaso, in a post on Wednesday on his verified social media platforms, describing reports reaching him on the issue as deeply disturbing.

“I have received several reports—some good and some very terrible—indicating that the Kano State Government is compelling state officials and elected local government chairmen to sign documents either in support of Gandujiyya or Kwankwasiyya,” he alleged.

He described the development as disheartening, saying it was unfortunate for any government to resort to such actions.

“Our supporters should not take this lightly. It is very disturbing that a government would go so low,” Kwankwaso said.

He, however, advised affected local government chairmen and councillors to comply if necessary to avoid victimisation.

“Since it has reached this level, those being forced to sign the document may go ahead and do so in order not to be victimised by the government,” he added.

Kwankwaso also thanked supporters of the Kwankwasiyya movement for what he described as their steadfastness and continued loyalty.

The allegation comes amid sustained rumours that Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, may defect from the NNPP to the APC ahead of the next general elections.

Yusuf was elected in 2023 on the NNPP platform and is widely regarded as a political protégé of Kwankwaso.

The speculation has reportedly strained relations between both men and heightened political tension within the ruling party in the state.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo, has reaffirmed his loyalty to Kwankwaso amid the growing uncertainty.

PUNCH gathered that Gwarzo, who returned to Nigeria on Tuesday night after performing the lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia, paid a visit to Kwankwaso at his Miller Road residence in Kano shortly after his arrival.

Sources close to the deputy governor said the visit was aimed at reassuring Kwankwaso of his continued allegiance to the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya political movement.

“One of the key reasons for the visit was to personally reaffirm the deputy governor’s loyalty and commitment to the party and its ideology,” a party source said.

Further findings by The PUNCH revealed that other senior party figures, including the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Yusuf Kofar Mata; the Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Governor, Sunusi Surajo Kwankwaso; and the factional chairman of the NNPP in Kano State, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, have also pledged support for Kwankwaso.

A senior NNPP official said, “This is a clear message that key figures within the government and the party remain firmly with Kwankwaso despite the ongoing defection speculation.”

Although Governor Yusuf has not publicly confirmed any plan to defect, analysts say the sustained rumours have exposed deepening divisions within the NNPP, with rival factions intensifying consultations ahead of possible political realignments.

As the situation unfolds, Kano’s political atmosphere remains tense, with party loyalists closely watching the next moves of both the governor and his former political mentor.

The African Democratic Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party and the Labour Party have criticised the Bola Tinubu administration over reports that the Federal Government approved a $9 million contract for lobbying services in the United States, describing it as an attempt to polish Nigeria’s image abroad while citizens continue to grapple with rising insecurity and economic hardship.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the spending demonstrated misplaced priorities, stressing that no amount of paid lobbying could cover up bloodshed or the government’s failure to safeguard lives and property.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, told The PUNCH in an exclusive interview that the Tinubu administration appeared more focused on appearances than governance. He added that no amount of lobbying could obscure the fact that improving citizens’ welfare remained the only sustainable way to enhance Nigeria’s global image.

Similarly, the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Oladipo Johnson, criticised the contract as wasteful, arguing that appointing and posting ambassadors to countries, including the United States, would be a more effective means of ensuring proper communication.

Former United States President Donald Trump had repeatedly claimed that Christians in Nigeria were facing genocide and had even threatened military action.

The Federal Government, however, clarified that while Nigeria faced security challenges, there was no genocide occurring in the country.

Despite the tensions, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), in collaboration with the Tinubu administration, conducted airstrikes on December 25 against terrorists in Sokoto State.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that the Federal Government had engaged a lobbying firm under a $9 million contract to communicate its efforts to protect Christians in Nigeria to the United States government.

Documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice indicated that Kaduna-based law firm, Aster Legal, retained the U.S.-based public affairs and lobbying firm, DCI Group, on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The agreement was signed on December 17, 2025, by Oyetunji Olalekan Teslim, Managing Partner of Aster Legal, and Justin Peterson, Managing Member of DCI Group.

Reacting, the ADC lamented that no African government had ever spent such an “outrageous” amount on a short-term public relations campaign.

It said, “While the ADC recognises the importance of representing Nigeria’s interests internationally, spending $9 million on image management at a time when millions of Nigerians cannot afford food, fuel or basic healthcare is a clear case of misplaced priorities and moral blindness.

“This decision is also an admission of diplomatic failure. A government that has left key ambassadorial positions vacant now seeks to outsource diplomacy to lobbyists, further weakening Nigeria’s institutional credibility and reducing foreign policy to transactional propaganda.

“More troubling is the illusion that paid lobbying in Washington can erase the reality of mass killings, widespread insecurity and state failure at home. No amount of image laundering can wash away the blood of thousands of Nigerians killed under this administration’s watch. Lobbying to impress foreign leaders cannot substitute for a coherent strategy to end the bloodbath. A President who declares a state of emergency on security and then proceeds on foreign holidays cannot be rescued by public relations firms.

“Equally dangerous is the framing of this lobbying effort as a campaign to communicate Christian protection efforts. This risks deepening sectarian tensions and politicising security in a country already strained by religious and ethnic fault lines. Security failures affect all Nigerians, regardless of faith, and cannot be addressed through selective messaging abroad instead of justice, accountability and effective governance at home.”

The ADC emphasised that Nigeria required leadership, not propaganda.

“Resources should be spent protecting lives, restoring trust in state institutions and rebuilding a country in distress, not polishing the image of a government that has failed its most basic responsibility — the protection of lives and property,” it added.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary warned the Federal Government that addressing real issues rather than optics would ultimately serve it better, noting that lobbyists could offer no real assistance.

Ememobong said, “The perception of a country primarily stems from its citizens. If you want your perception index to improve, you simply treat your citizens well. We have students — advanced students — in the United States who can readily tell Americans what is happening. Their observations, opinions and experiences carry weight and significantly influence international perspectives.

“And we are living in a global community where, through social media, anyone seeking to know what is happening in your country can find out instantly, accurately and widely.

“So, the lobbying contract is just wasted money. It is a conduit pipe; it is going down the drain. It cannot be efficacious and is therefore most condemnable.

“It reiterates what we have been saying — that this government is playing to the gallery, ignoring the real needs of the people and focusing only on appearances. They are more interested in optics than reality. The faster they move to reality, the better it will be for them. Optics will not help them, nor will it convince any serious observer who understands national and global dynamics.”

Also reacting, the NNPP Publicity Secretary argued that with Nigerians grappling with rising inflation, unemployment, insecurity and declining living standards, the government should focus its resources on domestic challenges rather than external public relations campaigns.

Johnson said, “I don’t even know where to begin. It shows the misplaced priorities of this government. In the given economic circumstances, it is in bad taste.

“What the government should be doing is posting ambassadors. If you had a proper full-time ambassador — I’m not sure if they have one now — communication and diplomatic relations would have been easier. President Tinubu has been in government for about three years, and this reflects part of the problem.

“It is sad and unfortunate that in these circumstances, you are paying for lobbyists. There are times when you need lobbyists, and I understand that, but this is not one of such occasions. If security were being handled properly, they would know. They have the CIA, intelligence gathering and information networks. You would not need lobbyists, because they cannot and will not change anything.”

Attempts by our correspondent to reach the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, for a response were unsuccessful, as his telephone number was unreachable as of press time.

The Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, on Tuesday nullified the Peoples Democratic Party governorship primaries held on November 8, 2025, a ruling that has prompted the winner of the exercise, Dr. Wole Oluyede, to announce plans to appeal.

Justice Babs Kuewumi gave the ruling following a suit filed by an aspirant, Funso Ayeni, who challenged the primary on grounds that it violated the party’s guidelines and the Electoral Act.

The  judge ordered the party to conduct a fresh election to select its candidate.

Ayeni, through his counsel, Kola Kolade (SAN), argued that the PDP failed to present the original and authentic list of statutory and ad hoc delegates used for the exercise, a lapse he described as a fundamental breach rendering the election invalid.

In his judgment, Justice Kuewumi held, “The conduct of the primary election did not comply with the provisions of the law and the party’s constitution. Consequently, the primary election is hereby nullified.”

The judge directed the PDP, in conjunction with the Independent National Electoral Commission, to organise a fresh primary in strict compliance with legal and party guidelines.

Justice Kuewumi emphasised that all eligible aspirants must be allowed to participate in the rerun to ensure transparency, fairness, and internal democracy within the party.

Reacting to the judgment, the winner of the nullified primary Dr. Wole Oluyede,through his counsel, Owoseni Ajayi, expressed dissatisfaction and confirmed that an appeal would be filed, including a request for a stay of execution

Oluyede had earlier been excluded from INEC’s official list of governorship candidates for the June 20, 2026 election, published on December 29, 2025.

Oluyede has vowed to challenge the exclusion, asserting his intention to explore all legal avenues to have his name restored and participate in the election.