- Cooperation emphasized for ministry progress, but Wike’s APC affiliation not discussed
- APC working on new blueprint for party growth, including potential mergers with other parties for national unity
The All Progressives Congress’ National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, has disclosed the purpose of Nyesom Wike’s visit, the former governor of Rivers State.
Ganduje emphasized that Wike, the Minister-designate, is prepared to collaborate with the ruling party. Ganduje believes that Wike’s involvement will enhance the APC’s prospects in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
This revelation occurred while Ganduje was hosting a solidarity visit from Simon Lalong, a former governor of Plateau State, at the APC national secretariat in Abuja.
He said, “You know Wike is an honourable minister-designate, so he came, we discussed it because I was looking for him, to congratulate him for that. He also came to congratulate me.
“We discussed that when he becomes a 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.”
However, he said, “Having Wike 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 the 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. 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.”