Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Na­tional Chairman of the All Pro­gressives Congress (APC), has hinted of a blueprint to draw oth­er political parties into a merger agreement with the ruling party ahead of the 2027 election to boost its membership and followership across the country.

Ganduje made the disclosure while fielding questions from jour­nalists on the recent viral photo of the visit of Nyesom Wike, former Rivers State governor, to his (Gan­duje’s) Abuja residence.

While clarifying that he has not yet discussed with Wike, a minis­ter-designate, about him joining the party, the APC national chair­man, however, did not rule out such possibility in the near future.

“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 in order to move the ministry he is given for­ward and he is ready to cooperate.

But we didn’t discuss the issue of his coming to APC or not coming to APC. That issue will arise later.

He, however, expressed hope that the coming of Wike, when it eventually happens, will boost the fol­lowership of the party.

Beyond Wike joining APC, Ganduje disclosed that already a blueprint under­ground is ongoing to bring some of the political parties into a merger agreement to boost the followership of APC before the 2027 gener­al election.

“It 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 will in­clude all strata 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.”

Asked if Wike’s min­isterial appointment was not based on the spirit of government of national unity somehow canvased by the APC, Ganduje who received Simon Lalong, Plateau State immediate past governor replied: “But the spirit of national unity does not mean the spirit of one party in Nigeria. Spir­it of national unity means spirit of national compe­tence and spirit of national capacity.”

Earlier, Lalong had ap­plauded the emergence of Ganduje as APC national chairman, noting that as the longest serving political figure in the ruling party, he possesses the experience and temperament to lead the party to success.

“As the National Chair­man, Ganduje was governor. As a 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 is somebody who was very long in civil service, he became permanent secre­tary, commissioner, longest serving deputy governor and became governor”, he narrated.

“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 opportuni­ty he does a lot of 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.”

[DailyIndependent]