In a stunning turn of events, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, National Chairman of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has resigned from his position, citing deteriorating health, party insiders revealed on Friday.
The announcement, confirmed by top sources within the APC, has sent ripples through Nigeria’s political landscape, raising questions about the party’s leadership stability ahead of critical electoral cycles.
It was also gathered from party sources that President Bola Tinubu asked him to resign his appointment, but this has not been confirmed by the presidency.
Ganduje, a former two-term governor of Kano State, reportedly tendered his resignation letter to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) today, formally handing over his duties to the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.
The transition, described as immediate, has left party members scrambling to address the leadership vacuum and its implications for the APC’s strategic direction.
According to sources close to the matter, Ganduje’s decision stems from a serious health condition that has increasingly limited his ability to manage the demanding role.
“The chairman has been battling health challenges for some time, and it reached a point where he could no longer continue,” a senior APC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters.
While specific details about Ganduje’s condition remain undisclosed, the source emphasized that the resignation was a personal decision to prioritize his well-being.
The abrupt exit of Ganduje, a polarizing figure known for his political acumen and controversial tenure, has sparked intense speculation about the APC’s internal dynamics.
Appointed as National Chairman in August 2023, Ganduje was tasked with unifying the party and strengthening its position after a contentious election cycle.
His leadership, however, faced challenges, including allegations of mismanagement and internal factionalism, which some analysts suggest may have compounded the pressures of his role.
The handover to Senator Basiru, a seasoned politician and former Senate spokesperson, is seen as a temporary measure to ensure continuity. Party insiders indicate that the NWC is already deliberating on a permanent replacement, with names like former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and ex-Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura circulating as potential contenders.
The APC is expected to convene an emergency meeting next week to chart the path forward.
