Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has taken a swipe at the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing it as a “dying party.”
Ganduje made the remarks in Abuja on Friday while welcoming members of the coalition of Atiku Abubakar Support Groups, who backed the former vice president in the 2023 elections, but have now defected to the ruling party.
Mocking the PDP’s internal crisis, Ganduje claimed that no aspirant has shown interest in contesting the upcoming Anambra governorship election under the party’s platform, highlighting its dwindling influence.
“You are welcome to our party. We are formally receiving you now. But as I have been informed, after the fasting period, all your members will gather here in Abuja under the leadership of the distinguished Senator Barau,” Ganduje said.
“We will invite Mr. President, the vice-president, the senate president, and the speaker of the House of Representatives to formally receive all your members and register the death, collapse, and disappearance of the PDP in Nigeria.”
The APC chairman referenced a trending video, claiming that the PDP had extended its screening deadline for the Anambra governorship election because no aspirants had come forward.
“The extension has also expired. And nobody has shown up for the contest. So, I don’t need to tell you, it is a crumbling party,” he said.
Ganduje declared that the APC remains the strongest political party in Nigeria, emphasising its commitment to internal democracy and rule of law.
“We are the greatest beneficiaries of the crumbling party. So, we welcome you honestly. We welcome you to a party with a progressive ideology,” he said.
“To a party that believes in the rule of law. To the party that believes in internal democracy. To the party that believes in engagement. To the party that says no discrimination.
“We are the most peaceful party in Nigeria—the most peaceful party in Africa—because we believe in internal democracy.”
Ganduje further asserted that the PDP is “dying at a fantastic rate” and has lost relevance in the country’s political landscape.
The defection of Atiku’s support groups to the APC is seen as a significant shift, further weakening the PDP ahead of future elections.
