Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s resignation as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been linked to the anticipated return of former Kano State Governor, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, to the party.
Sources indicate that Ganduje was prevailed upon to resign from the party leadership to facilitate Kwankwaso’s re-entry and allow him to assume a prominent role.
While Ganduje cited health reasons and urgent personal matters for his departure, it’s widely believed that Kwankwaso’s political standing, influence, and rich trajectory necessitate a key position within the party as the 2027 elections approach.
There are suggestions that Kwankwaso is being considered as Ganduje’s replacement or even as a Vice-Presidential candidate for the APC in 2027, a move aimed at strengthening the party’s foothold in Kano.
Prior to his resignation, some key party officials, including National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, reportedly tried to convince Ganduje to reconsider his decision, but were unsuccessful.
Persecondnews recalls that Ganduje had served as Kwankwaso’s deputy during his time as Kano governor before becoming governor himself; however, their political relationship later turned sour.
The Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Ali Bukar Dalori, has taken over from Ganduje, who was elected 22 months ago, in acting capacity pending the party’s national convention.
In a statement in Abuja, APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka said that the National Leader of the party, President Bola Tinubu has directed Dalori to assume office as National Chairman in an acting capacity pending the meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC), to be summoned immediately to fill the vacancy created by Ganduje’s exit.
He said: ‘‘The All Progressives Congress wishes to announce the resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, (CON), as the National Chairman of our great Party. His resignation, which is effective immediately, was offered to enable him attend to urgent and important personal matters.
“In his letter of resignation addressed to the National Working Committee (NWC) through the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, Dr. 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 to be summoned immediately to fill the vacancy created by the resignation.”
On Thursday before his resignation, Ganduje and Basiru represented the APC at the second quarterly consultative meeting between the Independent National Electoral Commission and political party leaders at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
On the resignation, a party source said: ‘’My own suspicion is that the resignation may be a fall out of what happened at the Gombe meeting of APC North East.”
Angry delegates had disrupted the Gombe meeting, citing alleged omission of the name of Vice President Kashim Shettima during the zone’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027.
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