Political Earthquake: Kwankwaso Opens Door to APC Return Amid Strong Conditions — Critics Say Nigerian Democracy Is About Proximity to Power

A major political tremor shook Nigeria’s political landscape on Saturday after former Kano State Governor and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, declared that he and his movement are “ready to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) under strong conditions.”

The declaration, splashed across the media with Kwankwaso’s trademark red cap, has already ignited heated debates across the country, raising fresh questions about the fluidity of political ideologies and the survivalist instinct of Nigerian politicians.

Reacting to the news, outspoken commentator Mahdi Shehu took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, launching a stinging criticism of what he described as Nigeria’s transactional brand of democracy.

According to Shehu:
“Democracy in Nigeria is all about being in and remaining within the corridors and proximity to a tested power at all cost and in all circumstances, no matter the grandstanding, previous utterances or ideological claims.”

He punctuated his remark with a sardonic farewell:
“Safe journey to the Madugu on a thorny road to the lion’s den.”

Shehu’s statement, posted alongside the viral image of Kwankwaso with the headline “We Are Ready To Join APC Under Strong Conditions,” has stirred reactions from citizens who see the potential move as yet another testament to the fragile state of party ideology in Nigeria.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence and was a founding member of the APC before breaking away to champion the NNPP, is seen as a political heavyweight with deep grassroots influence, especially in Northern Nigeria. His possible re-alignment with APC, however, raises critical questions: Will this be a masterstroke of political strategy or a miscalculated step into the “lion’s den,” as Shehu put it?

For many observers, this unfolding drama underscores a familiar reality in Nigeria’s political journey — where shifting alliances, survival tactics, and the pursuit of power often eclipse ideological commitments.

As the 2027 general elections draw closer, the eyes of the nation remain fixed on Kwankwaso’s next move — a decision that could reshape the balance of power at the very heart of Nigeria’s democracy.