The political landscape within Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been abuzz with speculation about the future of its National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, amid his ongoing corruption trial. Rumours have intensified over the past week, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu might be considering appointing Ganduje to an ambassadorial position, a move that could see him leave the country.
What began as whispers has now gained considerable traction, especially on social media and in online publications, with several reports citing unnamed sources within the APC and the Presidency. However, political analysts suggest that these stories may be more than mere rumours, possibly orchestrated by party insiders from the North-Central zone who are keen to reclaim the party leadership.
This faction within the APC has been vocal in its discontent since Ganduje’s predecessor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, vacated the chairmanship. Their agitation for the leadership seat to return to the North-Central region has been a source of tension within the party, culminating in a protest three months ago that was violently dispersed by suspected thugs. Demonstrators at the party headquarters had demanded Ganduje’s resignation, carrying banners that read, “Return APC National Chairmanship to North-Central” and “Dr Ganduje, kindly resign to face your prosecution in Kano.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Muhammad Etsu, a former aspirant for the APC chairmanship from the North-Central region, recently filed a legal injunction aimed at preventing Ganduje from continuing in his role as national chairman. Etsu and his supporters argue that the leadership position should remain in the North-Central zone, rather than the North-West, where it was zoned by the APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
Despite the growing unrest, some within the party have dismissed the speculation as baseless. Nze Chidi Duru, the APC’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, downplayed the rumours in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, calling them “ridiculous” and warning that any sudden changes in party leadership could lead to instability.
“It will be one change of guard too many. There must be stability, even in the administration of party hierarchy. That is a wishful thinking,” Duru stated. He emphasized that the chairmanship had been legitimately zoned to the North-West by the NEC, with all party components in agreement. “If anybody feels otherwise, as I always maintain because we are a law-abiding institution, he is free to go to court.”
Amidst the swirling speculation, Festus Fuanter, the APC’s Deputy National Secretary, declined to comment when approached for clarification, further fuelling uncertainty about Ganduje’s future and the party’s direction.
As the situation develops, the APC faces the delicate task of balancing internal power dynamics while maintaining stability ahead of the next electoral cycle. Whether the rumours of Ganduje’s departure will materialise remains to be seen, but the underlying tensions within the party are likely to persist, keeping Nigeria’s political observers on high alert.
