The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has hinted that former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso may soon join the APC.
Ganduje made this known on Tuesday in Abuja after a private meeting with the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Ata, at the APC national secretariat.
Speaking to journalists, Ganduje said the party is open to receiving Kwankwaso, suggesting that he may need the party to revive his political career.
“When a fish is running out of water, that’s exactly what is happening. If the water is drying, the fish has to find its way to water. So that is what is happening. I will not say we are not ready to welcome him,” Ganduje said.
He added, “When you see your son running to where he would get shelter and you are a big brother in a big home, I think it is morally right to accommodate him. So we cannot say we cannot accommodate him because a friend in need is a friend indeed. Somebody who has been abandoned, we should not allow him to wallow in darkness.”
However, Minister Yusuf Ata expressed strong opposition to the possible defection. He warned that allowing Kwankwaso into the party could cause serious issues within the Kano chapter of the APC.
“Kwankwaso is no longer relevant in Kano. He is only coming to APC, not that we invited him. Because he is going to die politically. I am assuring you, and even Mr President has all his security records from the grassroots in Kano,” Ata said.
“He is no more attractive. So, he is struggling to be accommodated in the APC. That may bring a lot of crisis in the APC in Kano State. This is our position.”
He pointed to changes in public support, saying red caps—once a strong symbol of Kwankwaso’s supporters—are now rarely seen.
“Anybody who visits Kano State even today will see that there are a lot of changes. It is hard for you to find red caps in Kano… if 5,000 people come for prayers, you cannot see 20 red caps,” he said.
Ata insisted that the Kano APC stands united against Kwankwaso’s return unless Ganduje, as party leader in the state, decides otherwise.
“Unless the National Chairman, who is the leader of the party in Kano, takes a decision to accept him, Kwankwaso stands rejected,” Ata declared.
When asked if he personally would welcome Kwankwaso, Ata said: “Personally, I won’t be happy. Unless it is a decision from our father (Ganduje) to accommodate him… He is no more attractive in Kano. We have no deal unless the National Chairman, as a leader, says we should accommodate him. No problem.
