Abdullahi Ganduje Resigns As APC National Chairman Amid Party Tensions.
In a dramatic turn of events, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has reportedly resigned as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party of Nigeria, with immediate effect. The announcement, first shared through posts on X and reported by multiple sources, marks a significant shift within the APC as it navigates internal divisions and prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Ganduje, a former governor of Kano State, is said to have stepped down due to a combination of health concerns and mounting political pressures within the party. According to sources, including an X post by a former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, the resignation was confirmed on Friday, with preparations for a formal handover already underway.
The APC has yet to release an official statement verifying the development, but insiders suggest that one of the party’s national vice chairmen will assume the role in an acting capacity until a substantive chairman is elected at the APC’s national convention scheduled for December 2025.
The resignation follows weeks of reported tensions within the APC, particularly in the North-East, where Ganduje faced criticism for failing to endorse Vice President Kashim Shettima alongside President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential ticket. This sparked unrest at a recent party meeting in Gombe, where irate APC members reportedly harassed Ganduje, necessitating security intervention. The incident highlighted deep rifts within the party, with some factions accusing Ganduje of sidelining key regional figures.
Ganduje’s tenure as APC chairman, which began in August 2023 following the resignation of Senator Abdullahi Adamu, was marked by efforts to unify the party and expand its influence, including high-profile defections from opposition parties. However, recent challenges, including the defection of a close ally, Mustapha Hamza Buhari Bakwana, to the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano, underscored growing fractures in the party’s stronghold.
Political analysts suggest that Ganduje’s exit could be part of a broader strategy to reposition the APC ahead of future electoral contests, amid speculations of secret meetings between President Tinubu and opposition figures like Rabiu Kwankwaso. One source, cited in an X post, claimed the resignation might be linked to these alleged discussions, though such claims remain unverified.
As the APC braces for a leadership transition, the party faces the challenge of maintaining unity and addressing internal grievances. Ganduje’s departure signals a pivotal moment for the ruling party, with all eyes on the December convention to determine its next chapter.