Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress ,Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
The resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has ignited a wave of political intrigue and speculation, both within the ruling party and across the national political landscape.
While the Presidency, through the Special Adviser to the President on Publicity and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, officially stated on Friday that Ganduje resigned on health grounds, party insiders and political observers suggest a more complex narrative rooted in internal power struggles, strategic realignments, and 2027 political calculations.
According to Saturday Telegraph, Ganduje submitted his resignation letter amid intensifying pressure from within the party.
Credible sources suggest his exit was less about health and more a consequence of mounting political tensions, particularly within the Presidency.
The former Kano State governor had come under scrutiny due to renewed allegations of corruption, many of which were reportedly pushed by factions within the APC itself. The atmosphere around Ganduje grew increasingly hostile as whispers of dissent mounted, with some key figures viewing his continued leadership as a liability ahead of critical political battles.
Compounding the situation is the anticipated defection of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader and former Kano governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to the APC. Sources say Ganduje vehemently opposed Kwankwaso’s move, given their bitter rivalry in Kano politics. This tension reportedly contributed significantly to Ganduje’s decision to “throw in the towel.”
Party officials also claim that President Bola Tinubu had been quietly working to replace Ganduje with a figure from the North Central geopolitical zone. The reasoning behind this, according to insiders, is both strategic and symbolic. With Kano one of Nigeria’s key swing states now seen as beyond Ganduje’s influence, the President is said to be seeking new political alliances to secure the region for his likely 2027 re-election bid.
A top-ranking APC source, who asked not to be named, revealed that Kwankwaso allegedly made Ganduje’s removal a precondition for his return to the APC. The source further disclosed that Kwankwaso promised to deliver the entire NNPP political structure in Kano including the sitting governor into the APC fold, provided Ganduje was ousted.
Although there is no official confirmation regarding a possible vice-presidential slot for Kwankwaso in 2027, several reliable sources suggest that such a proposal is on the table and may have influenced ongoing negotiations between Tinubu and the former NNPP leader.
Despite the official health-related explanation, Ganduje’s resignation appears closely tied to these political maneuvers. A senior APC official in Kano, speaking anonymously, confirmed the resignation.
“Yes, Ganduje has stepped down on health grounds. But politically, the President is making strategic moves for 2027. He cannot afford to gamble with Kano and the North Central.”
“This kind of shift isn’t unusual. Remember, Obasanjo forced out multiple PDP chairmen during his time. Even in the APC, Adams Oshiomhole and Abdullahi Adamu were removed. At least Ganduje left voluntarily.” The source said .
Efforts by Saturday Telegraph to obtain official comment from key party officials were unsuccessful, as calls to the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Felix Morka, and the National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Bashir, were unanswered. Their phones were reportedly switched off at the time of inquiry.
However, Onanuga reiterated the official line via WhatsApp, stating:”Ganduje has resigned on health grounds. President Tinubu thanks him for his service to the party and the nation.”
This was echoed by a post from Bashir Ahmad, a former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, on X (formerly Twitter), which read:“The National Chairman of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has resigned from his position, effective immediately, as confirmed by multiple sources.”
Party insiders also indicated that Ganduje’s resignation may have been a move to pacify influential party members who felt the North Central was being sidelined. Since the resignation of Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who also hails from the North Central, many party loyalists have demanded that the region be allowed to complete his term.
One APC National Working Committee member explained:”There has been sustained pressure for Ganduje to step aside so someone from the North Central can complete Adamu’s tenure. This is about regional equity. The North West already controls the Deputy Senate Presidency and the Speakership. The North Central has been shortchanged despite its strong support for the APC.”
As the party moves toward its National Convention scheduled for December, it is expected that one of the national vice chairmen will serve as acting chairman until a substantive leader is elected. For now, the APC is at a critical juncture, with the Ganduje saga exposing deeper currents of power plays and positioning ahead of 2027.
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