By Milcah Tanimu
The Presidency has reportedly given the go-ahead for stakeholders to commence the search for a new national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to sources gathered by LEADERSHIP. This move comes amid ongoing political challenges faced by the current chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.
The Presidential Villa, which has remained silent on Ganduje’s recent political issues, is said to have instructed APC governors from the North Central geo-political zone to start identifying potential candidates for the chairmanship role, which was originally intended for that region.
A high-ranking party source revealed to LEADERSHIP on Friday that besides the North Central zone’s involvement, there might also be an opening for the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) faction within the APC to suggest a replacement for Ganduje. This is seen as a conciliatory measure.
Ganduje’s adversaries, including a serving senator and former governor from the South-South region, criticize his handling of the Edo and Ondo primaries and the ongoing probe into his tenure as Kano State governor. Additionally, rumors of a possible return to the APC by the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate for 2023, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have further complicated Ganduje’s situation, as confirmed by Musa Ilyasu Kwankwaso, a former commissioner and APC leader in Kano State.
The push from APC stakeholders in the North Central zone for the return of the chairmanship to their region has not helped Ganduje, who hails from the North West zone. He is currently embroiled in a legal battle over attempts to suspend him in his ward due to allegations of financial mismanagement during his administration.
Ganduje attributes his troubles to the NNPP-led administration in Kano State, while the APC leadership at both federal and state levels has distanced itself from the suspension efforts. Despite these challenges, Ganduje is actively seeking support to maintain his position, reaching out to governors and other influential figures within the party.
Recently, he appealed to a North Central governor to persuade an aggrieved aspirant to withdraw a lawsuit aimed at stopping him from acting as chairman. Additionally, a serving senator and former national chairmanship aspirant has been enlisted to help quash the case.
In 2022, APC chairmanship aspirant Muhammad Etsu sought a legal injunction to prevent Ganduje from holding the position, arguing that the chairmanship should revert to the North Central zone. Initially, the APC had zoned the chairmanship to the North Central, leading to Senator Abdullahi Adamu’s election. Adamu’s resignation in 2023 paved the way for Ganduje’s appointment.
A North Central governor is reportedly supporting Ganduje’s removal, citing Ganduje’s alleged alignment with the governor’s political rival. Attempts to reach Ganduje for comments were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, the APC-led presidency’s silence on Ganduje’s ordeal is seen as strategic, amid political maneuvering in the North ahead of the 2027 presidential election. With President Bola Tinubu’s relationships in the region under strain, new alliances may be necessary, possibly leading to tough decisions.
A party chieftain noted that President Tinubu may reconsider Ganduje’s value to his political strategy for 2027, given Kano State’s importance. Another source mentioned that Tinubu’s quiet stance could reflect the protection Ganduje enjoys as an appointee of the president, contrasting with the treatment of former chairman Adams Oshiomhole.
Salihu Lukman, a former APC national vice chairman for the North-west, commented that Ganduje’s main qualification as chairman is his close relationship with the president.
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