Ganduje: Wike’s Defection Will Improve APC’s Chances in 2027

•Discloses some parties working to merge with ruling party

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has said the expected defection of the immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, to the APC would further improve the chances of the party in the 2027 general election.

Wike’s visit to the residence of Ganduje on Tuesday in Abuja, had sparked another round of defection rumours about his imminent arrival into the ruling party.

Speaking with journalists, yesterday, after meeting former governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, Ganduje said the ruling party would come out with a new blueprint to increase the followership of the party.

His words: “You know Wike is an honourable minister-designate, so he came, and 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 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.”

Asked if Wike’s defection to the party would be in sync with his plan to increase the number of members of the party, Ganduje said, “It will certainly improve the chances of 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 we 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.”

Earlier, Lalong said he was at the party’s secretariat to congratulate Ganduje and see how to support him in running the party.

“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. 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 an 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,” he said.