Esther Salifu
All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje has extended an olive branch to his longtime political rival, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, suggesting that the former Kano State governor is welcome to rejoin the ruling party.
Speaking to journalists after receiving Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Yusuf Ata, Ganduje emphasized the APC’s commitment to inclusivity and national unity.
“Kwankwaso is a fish out of water, trying to find its way back into the waters,” Ganduje remarked. “We cannot say we can’t accommodate him, because a friend in need is a friend indeed.”
Ganduje acknowledged Kwankwaso’s political acumen, noting his past roles as a two-term governor, Minister of Defence, and Senator. He suggested that with someone from Kano now leading the APC, it would be easier for Kwankwaso to find his place within the party.
“When you see your son running to where he would get shelter and you are a big brother in a big home, I think it is morally right to accommodate him,” Ganduje added.
Alhaji Yusuf Ata, a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, expressed support for Ganduje’s leadership and the APC’s efforts in Kano State. He noted the waning influence of the Kwankwasiyya movement, stating, “The Kwankwasiyya red cap era is becoming a thing of the past in the state.”
While Ata personally expressed reservations about welcoming Kwankwaso back into the APC, he deferred to Ganduje’s decision, saying, “For me, I will not want the former Kano state governor to be welcomed into the APC fold. But I have no choice if our national chairman decides to have him on board.”
