"Ganduje Expresses Willingness to Embrace Kwankwaso into APC; Holds Meeting with Anyim in Abuja"

Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has stated that he is ready to welcome Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Presidential Candidate of the New Nigerian People Party (NNPP), into the ruling party if he decides to defect.

Ganduje made this statement during a media briefing with select media organizations in Kano. This announcement came before Senator Kwankwaso's meeting with Anyim Pius Anyim, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at his residence in Abuja on Sunday.

During the media briefing, Ganduje acknowledged Kwankwaso's political prowess, citing his two-term tenure as Kano Governor, his role as Minister of Defense, and his time as a Senator. However, he also pointed out that Kwankwaso had not spoken much during his senatorial tenure.

Ganduje emphasized that if Kwankwaso decides to join the APC, the party's doors are open, especially since someone from his state is the current party chairman, which could facilitate his entry and influence within the party.

Responding to questions about Kwankwaso not being included in President Bola Tinubu's list of ministerial nominees, Ganduje clarified that Tinubu had never promised him such an appointment. He stated that he first heard about the potential appointment from Kwankwaso himself after the latter's meeting with President Tinubu in Paris, France. Ganduje highlighted that Tinubu aims to run a unity government and has demonstrated this by nominating Nyesom Wike from the PDP as a Ministerial candidate.

This media briefing marks Ganduje's first official interaction with the media since his appointment as the national chairman of the APC, which occurred at the National Executive Committee meeting held at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja four days earlier.

Additionally, on the same day, Ganduje hosted Anyim at his residence in Abuja. While the details of their conversation have not been disclosed, Anyim's visit has sparked speculation that he may be considering joining the APC, especially after his "courtesy visit" to the President at the Presidential Villa in early July.