Ganduje: Door Still Open For Reconciliation With Kwankwaso

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has expressed openness to reconciliation with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). According to political analysts, Ganduje made the remarks during an interview with the BBC, highlighting that his faith as a Muslim discourages permanent estrangement, even with political adversaries.

As a Muslim, is there a person you would say you don’t want to be reconciled with? It’s politics. We hope that in the future we can reconcile completely because we have been in politics together and we are brothers,” Ganduje stated.

The comments follow the recent defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State from the NNPP to the APC, a move that has altered the political dynamics in the state. Ganduje described Kwankwaso as a longstanding political associate, noting that the two have shared the same party political arena for years.

“There is no doubt about that. We are happy with this and excited. The governor is also happy with his return,” he added.

Ganduje emphasized that leadership positions within the APC are temporary and will be determined through internal elections from the ward to national levels by the end of February. He acknowledged past disagreements but suggested that the defection and current alignment mark a fresh start.

“Before, we had our differences, but now we are together. We have buried our differences. The task before us is how to bring development to Kano State and achieve success in this party,” he said.

He framed political success in Kano as a shared responsibility, stating, “If he succeeds, we succeed. If we succeed, he succeeds. If we fail, he fails. We must help the government succeed because if it succeeds, we succeed.”

Addressing rumors of a supposed 60 %–40 % power‑sharing arrangement allegedly favoring the governor, Ganduje dismissed the claim, noting that no formal communication on such an arrangement has been received. He insisted that the APC’s focus is on governance and development rather than internal privileges.

“All we know is that a government has been formed to work for the people and to ensure progress,” Ganduje affirmed.