Abuja — Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has said he is open to reconciling with the national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, describing him as a brother and long-time political associate.
Ganduje made the remarks during an interview with the BBC, monitored by our correspondent, where he said his religious beliefs would not allow him to permanently shut the door against reconciliation.
“As a Muslim, is there anyone you would say you don’t want to reconcile with?” Ganduje said. “It’s politics. We hope that in the future we can reconcile completely because we have been together in politics for a long time and we are brothers.”
His comments come just days after Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, defected from the NNPP to the ruling APC, a move that has reshaped the political landscape in the state.
Ganduje expressed satisfaction with the governor’s defection, saying the APC leadership and members were pleased with the development.
“We are happy and excited. He is also happy that he has come,” he said.
Speaking on party leadership and internal arrangements, the former governor noted that leadership positions within the APC are temporary and will be decided through congresses from the ward level up to the national level by the end of February.
“Before, we had our differences, but now we are together. We have buried our differences,” Ganduje stated. “The task before us now is how to bring development to Kano State and ensure success for this government.”
According to him, the success or failure of the Kano government is a shared responsibility between the party and the governor.
“If he succeeds, we succeed. If he fails, we fail. We must help the government succeed because if it succeeds, we succeed,” he said.
Reacting to speculations of a 60-40 power-sharing arrangement allegedly offered to the governor, Ganduje dismissed the claims, saying there was no written or official agreement to that effect.
“Have we received any written evidence of such an arrangement? We did not recognise anything of that nature,” he said, adding that governance should focus on delivering development for the people rather than political entitlements.
“All we know is that a government has been formed for the sake of the people — a government that will work for the poor,” Ganduje concluded.
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