The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has expressed optimism that more political parties will merge with the ruling party soon.
The National Chairman said this while speaking to journalists in Abuja.
Abdullahi Ganduje was in the company of the former governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong.
The briefing is coming on the heels of the courtesy visit of former governor of Rivers State and minister-designate, Nyesom Wike and some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains to the APC National Chairman on Tuesday.
Commenting on Wike’s visit, Dr Ganduje said the Rivers State former governor came to congratulate him for his appointment into office.
He said, “You know Wike 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.”
Asked if he (Wike) has plan to defect to the ruling party, Ganduje said although Wike’s presence in the party will increase the party’s membership, nothing of such was discussed in the meeting. “We didn’t discuss the issue of his coming to APC or not coming to APC. That issue will arise later”, he said.
According to him, “It (Wike presence) 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 stratas 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”.
Earlier, minister-designate and former governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong who came on a courtesy visit to the chairman, expressed optimism 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.”
