By Eshioromeh Sebastian, Abuja
The National Chairman of the ruling party, Abdullahi Ganduje, has urged opposition governors to join the APC or face defeat in their states come 2027.
This is even as he described ongoing efforts by opposition leaders to form a coalition against the ruling party as yet another futile endeavour.
Ganduje made the remarks yesterday after leading a delegation of APC National Working Committee to the Kaduna home of former President Muhammadu Buhari to brief him on the state of the APC.
The visit came shortly after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar led a coalition of opposition leaders to Buhari’s residence under the guise of a post-Sallah visit, a move Ganduje dismissed as inconsequential.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Ganduje boasted about the APC’s growing strength under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, stating that the party is actively working to woo governors from opposition parties ahead of the next general election.
“Considering the progress the president has made, it is very much encouraging and has made our party stronger,” he said. “I assure you that even though we are talking about 21 states, we are eyeing other states that will come into our fold, either the governors themselves will come, or we will go for election and defeat them, so that we increase our number.”
Ganduje emphasised that while the APC is currently in a strong position, it will not become complacent. “We are comfortable, but we are not resting on our oars,” he added.
When asked about Atiku’s recent visit to Buhari, Ganduje downplayed its significance, likening it to a failed political manoeuvre.
“That is not of concern to us,” he said. “It is just history trying to repeat itself. It is a joint venture which will not work, because they cannot be. They are just some particles that cannot come together, as we can see.”
The APC chairman hinted at strategic countermeasures but refused to divulge details. “We will not reveal our intrigues and technicalities on how to handle it, but we assure you that we are equal to the task,” he stated confidently.
Addressing recent defections from the APC, Ganduje brushed them off as insignificant, arguing that the party has gained more high-profile members than it has lost.
“People have joined our party, especially bigwigs from other political parties. We cannot talk about a small percentage or even small individuals who left our party, that is not an issue,” he asserted.
He reiterated the APC’s readiness for the political battles ahead, declaring, “We should continue. You know it’s politics, and we are used to this game.”
Discussion about this post