The resignation of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Friday as the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with immediate effect came as a shock to many political watchers in Nigeria.
Considering the cordial relationship existing between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ganduje since 2023 when the duo started working together, it was the least news that party members across Nigeria had expected.
The Kano politician’s resignation has thrown up permutations in the polity, with many political analysts saying it could have wider implications for the party ahead of 2027 general election.
Ganduje, who previously served as the governor of Kano State from 2015 to 2023, cited health reasons for his resignation, stating the need to focus on his personal well-being.
Ganduje had assumed the APC chairmanship in 2023 with the mandate to unify the party after the general election.
Many party members say his leadership was dogged by controversy, with critics citing unresolved corruption allegations from his tenure as governor and raising concerns about his ability to command wide support across the APC’s diverse power blocs.
Read also: Abdullahi Ganduje resigns as APC national chairman, cites health reasons
His tenure as APC chairman, which began in August 2023, was riddled with internal party crises, legal disputes, and allegations of financial misconduct.
While his resignation letter attributed the move solely to health concerns, party insiders suggest that rising political tension and internal opposition may have influenced his decision.
There have also been reports linking his exit to accusations of financial impropriety.
Some party members allegedly protested against what they described as excessive financial demands from his office—particularly over complaints by aspirants for the FCT area council positions about the high fees required to secure party tickets.
Ganduje’s leadership faced multiple legal challenges. In April 2024, a Kano State High Court issued an ex-parte order barring him from being identified as a party member, following a suit filed by some APC officials.
Although a separate suit filed by the APC North Central Forum seeking his removal was later dismissed by a Federal High Court in Abuja, his position remained contentious.
While the resignation is being publicly portrayed as voluntary, sources told BusinessDay that the move may follow sustained pressure from influential stakeholders, especially from Northern Nigeria, where Ganduje’s support base has reportedly eroded.
Sources in APC also told BusinessDay that the removal of Ganduje may have been taken to save the President of further trouble and regain some sections of Northern political elite who are against Ganduje’s continued stay in office. The source said the President is worried that despite his efforts to change the situation, his popularity in Northern Nigeria has not changed and continues to wane.
“There’s been quiet but serious agitation for his removal for some time,” a party strategist noted.
“His continued leadership was seen as a growing liability, particularly with the December convention approaching,” the source said.
Observers point to several signs that his position had become untenable. Internal complaints allegedly arose over contradictions in Ganduje’s reported health issues and his active participation in high-profile public events. Critics within the party viewed this as undermining internal communication and credibility.
Political analysts say that his resignation on Friday must have been a deal reached for him to silently vacate for the seat to avoid escalation of tension and for peace.
Analysts say that Ganduje’s resignation may not lead to a change of heart and embrace of the Tinubu’s administration by some political elite in the Northern Nigeria.
The analysts pointed out that Tinubu’s “unpopularity in Northern Nigeria” stems partly from his reform policies which had made life very difficult for people and the worsening insecurity in the region.
“It goes beyond Ganduje; I don’t think his resignation would make Northerners like Tinubu’s government or what he is doing.
“Many people think that Tinubu’s policies is against the people and have made them poorer. That is part of the reasons they want him out, look at fuel price now,” a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said.
Speculations are rife that Ganduje’s resignation may just be part of deal to return Rabiu Kwankwaso to the APC, so the party can regain control of Kano State to aid Tinubu’s victory in 2027 general election.
Reports say that Kwankwaso, a former Kano governor, has been offered the vice president ticket by Tinubu in 2027.
In recent months, there have been reports that Kwankwaso, the national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), was considering joining the APC. However, Ganduje and the NNPP have denied such plan severally.
When contacted, Ladipo Johnson, national publicity secretary of the NNPP, told BusinessDay that he had no information on the matter at the moment and could not confirm if Kwankwaso was joining the APC.
“I can’t confirm now and don’t have information on that, but you can call me back in the evening,” Ladipo said.
Meanwhile, another source also confirmed that Ganduje’s move was sequel to Kwankwaso’s plan to decamp from the NNPP to the ruling party.
“Kwankwaso is expected to join APC any moment from now, except he changes his mind again but as of today, the arrangement has been made for that to happen.”
According to the source, “It looks like they are sworn enemies, the defection of Kwankwaso is very important to the APC, especially as 2027 is concerned, but Ganduje has vowed that he won’t welcome him into the party so he has to step aside.”
Another chieftain of the APC who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told BusinessDay that he was not surprised about Ganduje’s resignation, noting that it is an issue that had been on for some time.
“It is surely for 2027, to balance equation, but let us wait and see how it unfolds. I strongly think this is part of a script, it is for Tinubu’s electoral success and not about any health issues he is having, I don’t believe the health story.”
