The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, has declared that talks of an opposition merger ahead of the 2027 general elections, would fail.
Ganduje stated this on Friday after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar led top politicians and some leading APC National Working Committee members on a Sallah homage to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna State.
Atiku, accompanied by a delegation of notable political figures, including former governors Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Jibrilla Bindow (Adamawa), and Achike Udenwa (Imo), said the visit was strictly a post-Sallah courtesy call.
Ganduje dismissed ongoing discussions among major opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as any serious threat to the ruling party.
He said, “We are not worried at all. This is just history trying to repeat itself. They went on a joint venture, which will not work because from what we have seen, there are just some particles that cannot come together.
“It is a game, and we will not reveal our technicalities on how to handle it, but we assure you, we are equal to the task.”
Ganduje said the party enjoys political dominance controlling 21 states, adding that it is “still the strongest party in West Africa.”
He said the APC was focused on maintaining its hold on power a well as expanding its influence ahead of the 2027 polls.
“We are eyeing other states that will come into our fold. Either the governors themselves will come, or we go for election and defeat them to increase our tally. We are comfortable, but we are not resting. We shall continue,” Ganduje added.
“There is a plan for the major political parties to come together and form a strong opposition, but it is not part of our visit,” Atiku clarified while addressing reporters.
