Ganduje Hints at Welcoming Kwankwaso Back to APC Amid Internal Party Opposition

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has indicated the party’s potential openness to reintegrating former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, framing it as a moral obligation to assist a “political son” in need.

A Political Lifeline for Kwankwaso?

Speaking on Tuesday at the APC national secretariat in Abuja following a private meeting with Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Yusuf Ata, Ganduje suggested that Kwankwaso—who currently leads the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)—might find refuge in the APC after being politically isolated.

“When a fish is running out of water, that’s exactly what is happening,” Ganduje remarked metaphorically. “If the water is drying, the fish has to find its way to water. I think it is morally right to accommodate him.”

Internal Resistance Emerges

Despite Ganduje’s conciliatory tone, Minister Ata voiced strong opposition, warning that Kwankwaso’s return could destabilize the APC in Kano State. Ata dismissed the former governor as politically irrelevant, claiming President Tinubu was already aware of grassroots sentiment against him.

“Kwankwaso is no longer attractive in Kano. He is coming to the APC on his own, not because we invited him,” Ata stated bluntly. “His return could trigger a crisis in the Kano APC.”

The Fading Red Cap Movement

The minister further argued that Kwankwaso’s signature “red cap” political movement had significantly diminished in influence, noting that even in large mosque gatherings, few supporters could be spotted wearing the emblematic headgear.

A Test of Party Unity

While maintaining his personal opposition, Ata conceded he might relent if Ganduje—as both state leader and party chairman—insisted on Kwankwaso’s reintegration. This internal debate highlights the delicate political calculus within Kano’s ruling party as it positions itself for the 2027 elections.

Kwankwaso, once a close ally turned rival of Ganduje, has not yet made formal overtures to rejoin the APC. However, the public discussion of his potential return underscores the fluid nature of Nigerian politics and the strategic maneuvering ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Credit: The Herald