Anthony Ailemen
President Bola Tinubu’s desire to contest again, the 2027 presidential election, is currently causing tension, with Abdullahi Ganduje becoming the first casualty.
It was gathered that the President’s ambition will continue to shake the party as more big figures in the party will be traded off.
Ganduje, until Friday night, served as the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), but had to resign from his position in mysterious circumstances, although he cited health reasons.
The former governor of Kano State was recently involved in series of controversies especially following his refusal to recognise Vice President Kashim Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate in the 2027 election, at the APC town hall meeting in Gombe, Gombe state.
The development generated bad blood within the party, causing deep division amongst APC members, especially amongst those from the North East who are feeling short-changed by the action
Reports indicated that the APC National Chairman had to be smuggled out of the meeting through the back exit gate.
But very reliable party sources revealed that Ganduje’s resignation is to pave way for Rabiu Kwankwaso who is being rumoured as the choice replacement for Kashim Shettima.
Both Kwankwaso and Ganduje hails from Kano state.
It has alaos been learnt that Kwankwaso had asked President Tinubu to sack Ganduje, if he wanted him to return to the party.
Our sources who refused to put his name in print, stated that “What you are witnessing is part of the plans. Kwankwaso said there was no way he will return to the party if Ganduje remains the Chairman.”
Asked why the President will prefer to replace Ganduje with Kwankwaso, the APC chieftain said, “There is no basis for comparison. Kwankwaso remains the godfather of Kano politics and moreover, his party is currently in control of Kano, which will be a huge political asset for the President and the APC, if he collapses his structure with that of APC.
“We have it on good authority that even former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai and others are currently mounting pressures on him to join them.”
The APC official also revealed that the North central stakeholders of the APC fast-tracked Ganduje’s resignation.
The need for Ganduje’s resignation was also strongly canvassed by APC stakeholders, during President Tinubu’s visit to Nasarawa State.
“The APC stakeholders had met the President to appease the North Central from where the position of national chairman of our great party was taken. You know, APC and Tinubu enjoy goodwill from the zone but their demand for the return of the national chairmanship position to the region has been on the front burner.”
Ganduje’s tenure as APC chairman has been marked by controversy and challenges.
He was elected as the APC National Chairman in August 2023, amidst internal party conflicts to replace Abdullahi Adamu, the former Nasarawa state Governor.
Prior to his election, Ganduje served as the Governor of Kano State from 2015 to 2023.
Although his resignation is linked to health concerns, sources familiar with the matter suggested that political tension within the party might have also played a role in his decision to step down.
There also allegations of financial impropriety leading to protests by some party members over what they call “excessive financial demands,” imposed by his office.
Specifically, aspiring FCT area council candidates had complained about hefty fee requirements for receiving the party’s ticket.
It was gathered that the stakeholders demanded for the return of the National Chairmanship position to the north central, with former Governor Tanko Al- Makura as his possible successor.
“When the President was in Nasarawa on Wednesday for the commissioning of projects, the issue came up behind closed doors and I think either Ganduje saw the handwriting on the wall so clear and acted in good faith or he was asked to back out.”
Following Ganduje’s resignation, President Tinubu directed that Bukar Dalori be appointed as acting National chairman of the party.
Dalori’s appointment has created fear in the Vice President Kashim Shettima’s camp as he also hails from same Borno State as Vice President Shettima.
If he is retained at the December 2025 National Convention of the party, that would effectively pave way for the exit of Shettima as running mate to Tinubu.
Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, in a statement, said the President wishes Ganduje success in his future endeavours.
The party has summoned a meeting of the National Executive Committee NEC over the development.
Morka, in the statement, confirmed Ganduje’s resignation, saying, “All Progressives Congress (APC) wishes to announce the resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje, (CON), as the National Chairman of our great Party.”
Morka also said that the resignation was effective immediately, adding that “it was offered to enable him attend to urgent and important personal matters.”
According to him, “In his letter of resignation addressed to the National Working Committee (NWC) through the National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, Ganduje expressed gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the opportunity to serve the Party at the highest level.
“The President has directed the Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, to assume the position of Acting National Chairman, pending the meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party that is being summoned immediately to fill the vacancy created by the resignation.”
Ganduje had assumed leadership of the Party in August 2023, following the resignation of his predecessor, Abdullahi Adamu.
“Throughout his tenure, he dedicated himself to strengthening Party unity and cohesion, expounding its democratic ideals, and enhancing the Party’s electoral competitiveness.
“The confidence placed in him by the Party’s NEC and National Caucus meetings in February 2025 was a profound recognition and honour for his service.
“He leaves his position as National Chairman with great pride in our collective achievements, including successful defections from opposition parties and legal affirmations of our leadership’s legitimacy.
“We assure all party faithful that our Party remains steadfast and unwavering in our mission to deliver transformative governance for all Nigerians, in line with President Tinubu’s renewed Hope Agenda.”
Morka said that the National Working Committee (NWC) has also extended its gratitude to Ganduje for his invaluable contributions and distinguished record of service to our great party.
Reports indicate that Ganduje was initially offered an ambassadorial job.
It is not clear if he has accepted the offer.
It was also gathered that his resignation is to fast-track Rabiu Kwankwaso’s entrance to the party and the collapse of his Nigeria National People’s Party (NNPP) into the APC.
Source: Business Day