The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has rejected the idea of a united opposition alliance, calling it a weak and unrealistic plan.
Speaking with reporters on Friday, Ganduje dismissed the talks of a merger among opposition leaders, insisting that the proposed coalition lacks unity and will not stand a chance in the 2027 general elections.
Ganduje made these remarks shortly after leading the APC’s National Working Committee on a Sallah visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his home in Kaduna State. When asked about the recent meetings among key opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Ganduje responded with confidence.
“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,” he said.
Ganduje noted that the APC remains in a strong position, controlling 21 states across the country. He also said the party is preparing to increase its numbers ahead of the 2027 elections.
“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,” Ganduje added.
The APC leader’s statement comes days after Atiku Abubakar visited former President Buhari, sparking speculation about a possible alliance between leading opposition parties.
Atiku, however, explained the purpose of the visit, saying, “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.”
He was accompanied by several notable figures, including former governors Nasir el-Rufai, Aminu Tambuwal, Gabriel Suswam, Jibrilla Bindow, and Achike Udenwa. According to Atiku, the visit was meant as a post-Sallah courtesy call, not a political strategy session.
Despite this clarification, many believe that the opposition is exploring ways to strengthen its position before the next elections. Still, Ganduje remains firm in his belief that any such merger would be unsuccessful.
He pointed to past efforts at building coalitions, saying they often fall apart due to internal disagreements and lack of clear leadership.
