Kwankwaso's Aides Firmly Deny Medical Tourism Allegations
Senior aides to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have categorically denied widespread social media reports suggesting the former Kano State governor was urgently flown abroad for medical treatment. The claims, which gained significant traction online, alleged that Kwankwaso left Nigeria due to serious health concerns requiring overseas attention.
Official Statements Counter Medical Rumors
Captain Mansur Kurugu, the official spokesperson for the Kwankwasiyya Movement, provided a clear response to inquiries about Senator Kwankwaso's international travel. "Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso departs Nigeria for personal reasons. It is not for medical tourism or any health-related reason," Kurugu stated emphatically. This direct statement aimed to quell the growing speculation about the politician's health status and travel motives.
In a separate communication, Saifullahi Hassan, Kwankwaso's media aide, reinforced this position while attributing the medical rumors to political opponents. Hassan described the circulating claims as "the handiwork of political detractors aiming to create unnecessary panic" among supporters and the general public. He emphasized that these unfounded reports were designed to undermine confidence in the NNPP leader's wellbeing and political stability.
Recent Kano Activities Underscore Health Claims
To further counter the medical tourism narrative, aides highlighted Kwankwaso's active schedule in Kano State just prior to his departure. On Thursday, the senator visited Singer Market in Kano City to personally commiserate with traders affected by a devastating fire that destroyed numerous shops and merchandise worth millions of naira. This public engagement demonstrated his physical presence and involvement in constituency matters, contradicting suggestions of urgent health issues requiring overseas treatment.
The aides stressed that Kwankwaso remains fully committed to his political responsibilities and public service duties. They affirmed his ongoing connection with constituents in Kano State and his continued leadership role within the New Nigeria Peoples Party, despite the circulating rumors about his health and travel purposes.
Political Context and Related Developments
The denial of medical tourism claims occurs against a backdrop of significant political developments in Kano State. In a separate but related incident, Abdul-Aziz Umar Ganduje, son of former Kano State governor and immediate-past APC national chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, visited Senator Kwankwaso at his Miller Road residence in Kano. Photographs shared on social media showed Abdul-Aziz dressed in the distinctive white-and-red Kwankwasiyya attire during the meeting, which also included Kano State deputy governor Comrade Abdulsalam Gwarzo.
This visit has generated considerable political speculation, given the longstanding rivalry between Kwankwaso and Ganduje senior. The political landscape in Kano has experienced recent shifts following the defection of Kwankwaso's protege, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, from the NNPP to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This move has reshaped political dynamics ahead of the anticipated 2027 elections, adding complexity to interactions between competing political factions in the state.
Previously, Governor Yusuf issued warnings to supporters against insulting Kwankwaso, emphasizing the need for political discipline and maturity amid rising tensions. These developments underscore the charged political environment in which the medical rumors about Kwankwaso emerged and were subsequently denied by his official representatives.
