Ganduje Resigns as APC Chairman Amid Reports of Tinubu-Kwankwaso Deal

Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje resigned as National Chairman of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday, confirmed by an official party statement.

The APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, stated Ganduje submitted his resignation letter to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) through the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru. In the letter, Ganduje expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve.

The Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori from Borno State, has been named Acting National Chairman until a substantive replacement is elected.

Sources within the APC national secretariat reported significant tension prior to the resignation. They stated Ganduje threatened to resign around 3 p.m. on Friday, following reports of political discussions involving President Tinubu and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. These discussions were reportedly aimed at bringing Kwankwaso into the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Party officials, including National Secretary Basiru, attempted to dissuade Ganduje from resigning. “We are currently pleading with him (Ganduje) not to resign. He is upset that Kwankwaso is coming to the APC. I think the two of them are sworn enemies. All the stakeholders are begging him to stay,” one party source disclosed. Despite these efforts, Ganduje’s resignation was confirmed shortly after 4:15 p.m.

Ganduje and Kwankwaso share a history of political rivalry. They were once allies in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with Kwankwaso serving as Governor of Kano State (1999-2003, 2011-2015) and Ganduje as his deputy during the latter term. Their relationship deteriorated after Ganduje succeeded Kwankwaso as governor in 2015 under the APC banner. Disputes over political influence in Kano State have persisted, including the 2020 dethronement of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi, widely seen as a Kwankwaso loyalist. Sanusi was reinstated by the current NNPP-led Kano government in May 2024.

While Ganduje officially cited health concerns for his resignation, sources link the decision directly to the reported talks between Tinubu and Kwankwaso. “He has eventually resigned. We couldn’t stop him. I think there is something personal between him and Kwankwaso, who is ready to join the APC after some discussions with the President,” another source added.

When contacted about Kwankwaso’s alleged plans to join the APC, his close ally Buba Galadima stated he was unaware of any defection plan. However, Galadima commented on internal APC dynamics: “I am equally aware that there was a meeting of APC stakeholders and the presidency three days ago where they agreed that Ganduje and Shettima should be sacrificed to bring a new set of people into government and the party.”

A staff member at the APC secretariat described the atmosphere as non-crisis, stating people gathered simply to discuss the chairman’s resignation.

President Tinubu, elected in 2023, is widely believed to be repositioning the APC for the 2027 elections. Opposition figures, including 2023 presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, are reportedly mobilizing for a coalition challenge.