Fresh details have emerged on the real reasons behind the sudden resignation of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as National Chairman of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Although Ganduje officially cited health concerns in his resignation letter submitted on Friday, 27 June, insider reports confirm that deeper political manoeuvrings were at play.
Sources within the party have linked his resignation to a combination of intense internal pressure, strategic presidential moves, and growing dissatisfaction from stakeholders in the North Central region. His removal is seen as part of a wider political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
1. Tinubu’s Plan to Bring Kwankwaso Back to APC
One of the most significant factors was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed effort to bring Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso — former Kano State governor and current leader of the opposition NNPP — back into the APC. However, Kwankwaso reportedly made it clear that he would not return to the party while Ganduje remained as chairman.
“Kwankwaso gave one condition: Ganduje must go,” a senior party source revealed. “He wouldn’t return to APC and allow Ganduje to control the Kano structure. Their rivalry is too deep.”
Fearing the possibility of losing Kwankwaso to an opposition alliance led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidency accelerated negotiations and took action to secure his return — beginning with Ganduje’s removal.
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2. Security Intervention Sealed the Exit
The final push reportedly came when the head of a major national security agency visited Ganduje at his Abuja residence in the early hours of Friday, 27 June, and advised him to resign. The development caught even Ganduje’s close aides by surprise.
“We were all shocked,” said one associate. “We didn’t see it coming, but once the security chief visited, it was a done deal.”
Later that day, prominent APC figures from the North-East and North-West visited Ganduje in a show of quiet solidarity and sympathy.
3. Pressure from North Central Stakeholders
In addition to the Kwankwaso factor, Ganduje also faced persistent opposition from the North Central bloc of the APC. Many party leaders from that region had demanded that the national chairmanship return to their zone after Senator Abdullahi Adamu, from Nasarawa State, was forced out in 2023.
Ganduje’s appointment, coming from the North West, was seen as a betrayal of the informal zoning balance within the party. His leadership was viewed by many in the North Central as imposed and unrepresentative.
Now that Ganduje has resigned, attention has shifted to prominent North Central politicians, including Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Senator George Akume, and Senator Mohammed Sani Musa — all potential contenders for the chairmanship.
4. Pre-2027 Political Calculations
Party insiders also noted that President Tinubu is strategically positioning the APC for the 2027 elections. By removing Ganduje — a controversial and divisive figure to some — the party can better accommodate critical alliances and reassert control over volatile states like Kano.
“This is not just about Ganduje,” said one source. “It’s about making space for political negotiations. Tinubu wants the APC to be a united and dominant force by 2027, and that means reshuffling key figures now.”
Acting Chairman Appointed
Following Ganduje’s departure, the president directed Ali Bukar Dalori, Deputy National Chairman (North), to assume office as acting national chairman. The APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, confirmed this and praised Ganduje for his service to the party.
While Ganduje’s resignation letter referred to health reasons, few within the APC believe this to be the sole cause. His exit is widely understood as the outcome of calculated political deals, high-level pressure, and a need to reposition the party’s leadership.
Ganduje’s resignation was the result of a multifaceted political strategy. While officially framed as a health-related decision, the true reasons include Tinubu’s ambition to bring back Kwankwaso, internal opposition from the North Central region, and preparations for a stronger APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
