Dr.
Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress
(APC),
has expressed his willingness to welcome Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Presidential
Candidate of the New Nigerian People Party, into the APC if he decides to
switch parties. Ganduje made this statement during a media briefing with select
media organizations in Kano.
This
announcement came just before the former Kano governor received Anyim Pius
Anyim, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Secretary to the
Government of the Federation, at his residence in Abuja on Sunday.
Ganduje
stated, “Kwankwaso is undeniably a skilled politician, having served as a
two-term Kano Governor, held the position of Minister of Defence, albeit
without a strong understanding of defense matters, and was a Senator who
maintained a low profile during his tenure.”
“If
he chooses to join the APC, the door is open, particularly now that our party
chairman hails from his state. This could facilitate his transition,”
Ganduje added.
When
asked about Kwankwaso’s absence from President Bola Tinubu’s list of
ministerial nominees and his reported promise, Ganduje clarified that no such
promise was made to the NNPP candidate. He mentioned that he learned of this
situation directly from Kwankwaso after his meeting with the President in
Paris, France.
Ganduje
elaborated, “President Tinubu is committed to a unifying government, and
he has upheld this commitment by nominating individuals like Nyesom Wike from
the PDP as a Ministerial nominee. However, it was Kwankwaso himself who
initially mentioned receiving an appointment, not the President.”
This
media briefing marked Ganduje’s first official engagement after his appointment
as the APC’s national chairman, a decision made during the National Executive
Committee meeting at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja four days prior.
In
a related development, Ganduje hosted Anyim at his Abuja residence on Sunday.
Although the details of their discussion remain private, Anyim’s presence has
sparked speculation that he might be considering switching to the APC. Earlier
in July, Anyim had made an unconventional “courtesy visit” to the
Presidential Villa to meet with the President.
