Opposition Parties in Nigeria Are Dead – Ganduje
Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chair of the All Progressives Congress (APC), along with the National Working Committee, convened with the Tinubu support group and BAT Ideological group on April 15, 2025, at the APC secretariat in Abuja. The discussions were notably engaging.
Ganduje boldly forecasted the imminent decline of both the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Addressing members of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG) at the APC national secretariat, he stated that the NNPP is nearing its end, having lost its effectiveness as an opposition party in Nigeria. He shared that he had recently seen a significant influx of former PDP members—about 60%—joining the APC in Delta State just two days prior.
He noted that senators, House of Representatives members, and other officials are continuously joining the party.
Ganduje declared, “You all know NNPP is finished; it will soon be buried. We have already built the coffin, and we are currently digging the grave.”
He continued by stating that numerous officials from various parties, including House of Representatives and Senate members, are set to join the APC. He also mentioned that a prominent leader from the NNPP, after a series of losses, is looking to return to the APC, which Ganduje promised would welcome him back.
The APC national chairman urged the visiting group to remain steadfast in their support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, assuring them they would be included in party activities and that their contributions would be recognized. He expressed gratitude to the TSG leadership Dr Tanko Yakazai and Comrade Bamidele Atoyebi of BAT Ideological Group, he acknowledged their dedication as politicians and mobilizers, promising that the party would not overlook their efforts.
Additionally, Ganduje initiated a reconciliation committee for the Anambra State governorship primary election, emphasizing the necessity of unity for the party’s success in the upcoming elections. He tasked the committee with fostering unity within the Anambra APC.
This statement coincides with reports that numerous high-profile politicians from the NNPP are preparing to defect to the APC, including the former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who is expected to return to the APC after losing his political appointments. Ganduje expressed readiness to warmly welcome Kwankwaso back to the party, signaling a significant setback for the NNPP, which has struggled to assert itself in Nigerian politics.
Ganduje’s assertion about the NNPP’s decline is grounded in the party’s poor electoral performance and internal strife, rendering it susceptible to defections by parties like the APC.
In his address to the TSG, Ganduje reinforced the need for continued support for the President’s administration, underscored the importance of member inclusion in the party, and assured that their contributions would be rewarded. His message was clear: the APC is positioned as the future party for those seeking a place in the ruling class.
In a related move, Ganduje established a reconciliation committee for the Anambra State elections, emphasizing the necessity of unity to ensure victory and urging the members to work diligently towards integrating all factions within the Anambra APC.
The implications of Ganduje’s prediction are significant for the NNPP and the overall political landscape in Nigeria. If the NNPP collapses, it could create a power void that the APC is strategically positioned to capitalize on. With its ability to attract key defectors and a robust grassroots base, the APC is well-established as a leading force in Nigerian politics as the 2027 elections approach. The possible demise of the NNPP could further solidify the APC’s hold on power.
