Ganduje: Kwankwaso is fish out of water — we’ll welcome him to APC if he defects

Abdullahi Ganduje, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the ruling party would welcome Rabiu Kwankwaso back to the fold with outstretched arms. 

Speaking with journalists at the APC national headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, Ganduje said the ruling party is deepening democracy in the country.

He also likened Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano and ex-presidential candidate on the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) platform, to a fish out of water.

“The APC is deepening and widening democracy in the country. Kwankwaso is a fish out of water, trying to find its way back into the waters,” Ganduje said.

“We cannot say we can’t accommodate him, because a friend in need is a friend indeed. We don’t want to leave him completely abandoned.

“We can still have him in, if he wants to join us.

“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.

“So, we cannot say we cannot accommodate him.”

Kwankwaso left the APC in August 2018 citing internal conflicts and disagreements over the party’s direction.

There have been a gale of defections from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in recent times, with Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, making the switch to the ruling party.

On Monday, Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, said the NNPP in the state will follow Kwankwaso wherever he goes.