Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has said the party has no objection to the reported move by former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to return to the ruling party.
However, Ganduje, also a former governor of Kano State, emphasised that Kwankwaso must accept certain conditions before rejoining the APC.
Daily Trust had reported how credible sources confirmed that Kwankwaso has already initiated talks with the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, regarding his defection.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Friday, Ganduje stated that the APC operates by rules and guidelines, and Kwankwaso must comply with them before being admitted.
“We’ve heard about Kwankwaso’s return plans. In democracy, the vote of a thief and that of a cleric carries equal weight. So we won’t shut our doors to anyone.
“Anyone who wants to join is welcome, but they must follow due process. We have rules and a constitution. If they return, we’ll welcome them, but we will name it for what it is: they’ve vomited and now they’re licking it back,” Ganduje said.
On the APC stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, Ganduje explained that it was convened to assess the reasons behind the party’s loss in the 2023 elections and to appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his developmental efforts and appointments in the state.
Ganduje also dismissed claims of a fallout between him and President Tinubu, which some believed was the reason behind his resignation as APC chairman.
He affirmed that their relationship remains strong and has even grown stronger.
“Politics is layered. APC allocates positions across different geopolitical zones, and one zone may feel a certain position belongs to them. But since we’re not in politics for positions, if a role is assigned to another zone, we step aside. That’s not a big deal.
“The meeting we held was to thank President Tinubu. So the idea of a rift between us doesn’t even arise. There’s nothing between us but love. He’ll support us, and we’ll support him to reclaim Kano in 2027.”
Ganduje also confirmed that internal divisions within the APC in Kano have now been resolved, adding that the crisis was never as deep as it was portrayed.