The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, has disclosed that several political parties might join the APC soon.
Ganduje made this known in Abuja while briefing journalists after the visit of the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesome Wike, at his residence accompanied by some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party from Rivers State.
The former Governor of Kano State, who saw Wike’s visit as a positive sign for the party’s efforts to increase its membership, was joined by former Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong.
When asked whether Wike’s visit indicated his shift to the APC, Ganudje said, “We did not discuss the issue of his coming to APC or not coming to APC,” adding that “that issue will arise later.”
He, however, noted that if figures like Wike were to switch to the ruling party, it would bring an additional benefit to the APC’s electoral prospects in 2027.
“It will certainly improve the chances of this our party, especially in 2027 and not only that we are coming out with a new blueprint to increase the followership of the party and this we include all strata of officials; those who are in APC and those who are in other political parties. I assure you very soon some of the political parties will even merge with the APC. We are doing that underground.
“You know Wiki is an honourable Minister-designate so he came, we discussed because I was looking for him to congratulate him for that and also he came to congratulate me and we discussed that when he becomes minister fully he will work very hard to move the ministry he is giving forward and he is ready to cooperate,” he said.
Earlier, Wike and the Director-General of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council, Lalong, who came on a courtesy visit to the chairman, expressed confidence in Ganduje’s ability to take the party to greater heights.
According to the former Plateau state governor, “Ganduje was Governor, as the matter of fact when we look at his antecedents we always say he is the longest experienced politician that we have within us.
“Because he was very long in Civil Service, he became Permanent Secretary, Commissioner, longest-serving Deputy Governor and became Governor.
“So with this kind of experience, what else do you need in party matters? So we have confidence in him as he is now here and it is not an issue of one man, anytime he has the opportunity he does a lot consultation and we are always available.
“His colleagues who were Governors with him are always available for this kind of work. That is why we are rallying around to give him every help so that the party can also succeed.”
