The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Air Force and Member representing Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, has responded to recent comments made by Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, describing them as misleading and laced with political entitlement.
This was contained in a statement issued by Alhassan-Rurum in reaction to Kwankwaso’s remarks at his Miller Road residence in Kano, concerning the ongoing wave of defections from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“In a democracy, disagreement is normal — but distortion of facts and personal attacks disguised as political commentary must not go unchallenged,” Rurum stated.
He clarified that the decision by himself and other respected leaders including Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, Hon. Abdullahi Sani Rogo, Hon. Aliyu Sani Madakin Gini, Hon. Idrees Dankawu, Rt. Hon. Zubairu Hamza Masu, Hon. Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada, Hon. Badamasi Ayuba Dambatta, Hon. Nura Muhammad Dankadai, and Rt. Hon. Alhassan Abubakar Kibiya to defect from the NNPP to the APC was a well-considered move rooted in political realities and commitment to their constituents.
“We are not political ornaments who thrive on social media hype or cult followership,” the statement read. “We are grassroots politicians who earned our mandates through community service, direct engagement, and the trust of our people. The support we received in Kano South during the 2023 elections was a vote of confidence in our personal track records — not blind allegiance to a logo or personality.”
Alhassan-Rurum described Kwankwaso’s attempt to portray their defection as a “political sin” as ironic, pointing to the Senator’s own history of party-switching between the PDP, APC, and NNPP. “If political movement is a sin, then Senator Kwankwaso himself has many confessions to make. The difference is, we moved for the sake of progress — not to remain politically afloat,” he said.
The lawmaker also condemned the tone of Kwankwaso’s statements, characterizing them as dismissive and filled with veiled threats.
“That’s not leadership; that’s political entitlement. The era of one man dictating the political future of others is over,” he asserted.
Rurum further accused Kwankwaso of seeking personal political favors abroad, notably in France, during his own recent political maneuvers.
“While he now criticizes others for aligning with the APC, he was abroad lobbying not on behalf of the people, but for his own survival. Actions speak louder than words, and the people are watching.”
Highlighting the tangible achievements recorded since joining the APC, Rurum noted that his team has facilitated developmental projects across sectors such as education, agriculture, and infrastructure.
“These are real outcomes — not mere slogans. Progress is measured by what people can feel, not how loudly someone speaks from a podium.”
He urged supporters to remain calm and focused, emphasizing that politics should not be reduced to ego battles or blind loyalty, but should remain a platform for development, justice, and improving lives.
“We stand firmly with the people of Kano State. We stand for their future,” the statement concluded.