The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has said that the door of the party is open for Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State to join the party.
This was as the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, said Kano State was important to the political fortunes of the APC.
Ganduje made the offer on Thursday evening while addressing stakeholders of the party shortly after their meeting in Kano.
“I am calling on Governor Yusuf along with his members of the NNPP to defect to the ruling APC at the national level to ensure massive political growth of the state,” Ganduje said.
According to him, the party was also working very hard to ensure more members of the National Assembly from Kano State and others from other political parties joined hands with the APC.
“We will provide an enabling environment for all defectors for the overall political growth of our party, state and the country at large.
“I want to assure the good people of Kano State that the Federal Government will continue to initiate policies and programmes that will enhance the well-being of the people.
“I also want to assure you that there is a move for other governors from various political parties to join our party.
“Very soon some governors and members of the National Assembly from other political parties will also join the APC,” he said.
Ganduje said the Kano APC had accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court judgment which affirmed Yusuf’s election.
”The door of the APC is open to wooing new members to the party across the country and in diaspora at group or individual level, because of the good governance and sound promises of the party.
“So, in order to enhance unity, progress and development of Kano state, the stakeholders’ meeting expressed commitment to continue to pursue the path of dialogue with individuals, associations or political parties ready to join the APC,” Ganduje added.
Uzodimma, who spoke to State House Correspondent at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, did not deny The PUNCH’s report which revealed that President Bola Tinubu had directed the APC chapter of Kano to reconcile with the governing party in the state, the New Nigerian Peoples Party.
Rather, he told State House correspondents that “Kano is not only important to APC but to Nigeria, so it’s an important state for all of us. NNPP is a political party. The APC is a political party. The most important thing is the interest of Nigerians and the people.”
Exactly one week ago, President Tinubu held closed-door talks with a delegation comprising the leadership of the Kano State Chapter of the APC at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Leading the delegation was the APC Chairman, Ganduje, who arrived at the Villa in the company of his one-time deputy and the party’s candidate in the March 18 governorship election, Nasir Gawuna.
The meeting came barely a week after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Gawuna’s main opponent, Governor Yusuf of the NNPP, as the duly elected governor of the Centre of Commerce.
Asked about the reconciliatory move, Uzodimma said “Government is one and no matter the political party you belong to, we are one.
“At the end of the day what we are looking for is how to ensure that the ordinary man on the street is taken care of and there is security for all of us and the welfare of our citizens is also protected, which is the primary purpose of government.”
Uzodimma said he was meeting Vice President Kashim Shettima, to brief him on the efforts made so far to stem crude oil theft.
