Fresh revelations have emerged on why Abdullahi Ganduje resigned his position as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This newspaper gathered that Ganduje stepped down following political negotiations involving President Bola Tinubu and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Insiders reveal that the development is linked to an agreement aimed at bringing Kwankwaso into the ruling party ahead of the “2027 general elections.”
Ganduje’s resignation was officially announced on Friday, with APC’s Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori from Borno State, appointed as “Acting National Chairman pending the election of a substantive replacement.”
In a statement confirming the resignation, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, disclosed that “In his letter of resignation addressed to the National Working Committee (NWC) through the National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, Ganduje expressed gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Tinubu, for the opportunity to serve the party at the highest level.”
Sources within the APC national secretariat reported that tension had been mounting since Friday afternoon, with Ganduje threatening to resign as early as “3 p.m.” following reports of the Tinubu-Kwankwaso deal.
Efforts to convince him to stay reportedly involved key party figures, including National Secretary Ajibola Basiru.
A party source revealed, “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.”
Despite these efforts, confirmation of Ganduje’s resignation came shortly after “4:15 p.m.”
Another insider added, “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.”
When asked about the atmosphere at the APC secretariat, a staff member said, “There is no crisis, just that the chairman has resigned and people gathered at the secretariat to discuss about it.”
The longstanding feud between Ganduje and Kwankwaso dates back to their years in Kano politics. Both were once allies under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with Kwankwaso serving as governor from “1999 to 2003” and again from “2011 to 2015,” while Ganduje was his deputy during the latter tenure.
Their political alliance fractured after Ganduje succeeded Kwankwaso as governor in “2015” under the APC, igniting years of rivalry over Kano’s political dominance.
A major flashpoint in their feud was the “2020 dethronement of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi,” a known Kwankwaso ally. Sanusi was later reinstated as Emir on “May 23, 2024,” by Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), under Kwankwaso’s political leadership.
Although Ganduje officially cited “health concerns” as his reason for stepping down, political analysts believe his resignation is directly tied to the recent political reconciliation between Tinubu and Kwankwaso.
When asked about Kwankwaso’s rumoured defection, a close ally, Buba Galadima, responded, “I am not aware of the defection plan.
However, I know Kwankwaso and Ganduje have personal issues. 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.”
President Tinubu, who was elected in “2023,” is believed to be repositioning the APC ahead of the “2027 general elections.”
Meanwhile, the opposition is mobilising for a coalition aimed at unseating the ruling party, with key figures like “2023 presidential runner-up Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party candidate Peter Obi” leading the charge.