Ezekiel Awojide, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress has asked its members not to be worried about the ongoing discussions among major opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; a former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, a former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Tambuwal and others.
National Chairman of the ruling party, Abdullahi Ganduje, who spoke with journalists in Kaduna on Friday, said the APC has what it takes to neutralise the plan.
While dismissing the talks ahead of the 2027 general elections, the former governor of Sokoto State described the move as a futile alliance that is doomed to fail.
Ganduje spoke after leading the APC National Working Committee on a Sallah homage to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna State.
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.”
‘The APC chairman touted the party’s political dominance, noting its control of 21 states and declaring it “still the strongest party in West Africa.”
He said, “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.’’
The Atiku group had earlier visited the former president in Kaduna.
Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2023 general election was accompanied by El-Rufai, Tambuwa, a former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam; a former Governor of Adamawa State, Jibrilla Bindow; and a former Governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa.
The Waziri Adamawa, however, told reporters after the visit that “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.”
