APC Clears Air Over Plan to Remove Ganduje As National Chairman

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has responded to rising speculations regarding the potential removal of its National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje. The rumors gained traction last week, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu might be considering appointing Ganduje to an ambassadorial position to remove him from the spotlight amid his ongoing corruption trial.

Initially dismissed as mere rumors, the story quickly spread on social media and in online publications, with some citing anonymous sources within the APC and the Presidency. However, political analysts believe these rumors may have been deliberately spread by party members from the North-Central region, who have been advocating for the party’s leadership to return to their zone since the departure of Ganduje’s predecessor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

Three months ago, tensions escalated when suspected thugs attacked and dispersed a group of North-Central APC members who were protesting outside the party’s headquarters. The demonstrators, carrying banners with messages like “Return APC National Chairmanship to North-Central” and “Dr. Ganduje, Kindly Resign to Face Your Prosecution in Kano,” called for Ganduje’s resignation.

Following the protest, Muhammad Etsu, a former APC chairmanship aspirant from the North-Central region, filed a legal injunction to prevent Ganduje from continuing as the party’s national chairman. Etsu argued that the leadership position should remain in the North-Central region, rather than being transferred to the North-West, as decided by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

However, Nze Chidi Duru, the APC’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, dismissed the speculation as unfounded. In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Duru warned that such a move could destabilize the party.

“It would be one change of guard too many,” Duru said. “There must be stability in the party’s leadership. Running the party on an unstable structure would not be beneficial. The chairmanship was zoned to the North-West by the NEC, with all party components in attendance. If anyone disagrees, they are free to seek redress in court.”

When approached for further clarification, APC Deputy National Secretary Festus Fuanter declined to comment.