Former Kano State governor and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has reportedly resigned from his position, a move sources say was less about health and more about high-level political strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While Ganduje cited health reasons in his resignation letter tendered on Friday, insiders say his exit was the culmination of growing political pressure and strategic maneuvers within the ruling party.
According to sources who spoke with DAILY GAZETTE, Ganduje’s resignation was anything but voluntary.
Around 2:00 AM on Friday, a high-ranking security official allegedly visited his residence to collect his resignation letter, a visit that sent shockwaves through his political circle.
“It came out of nowhere,” one of Ganduje’s close associates revealed. “Even his inner circle was taken by surprise.”
Later that day, Ganduje was seen performing what appeared to be his final official duty as APC chairman, leading members of the National Working Committee (NWC) on a condolence visit to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago over recent floods and attacks in the state.
Key to Ganduje’s sudden exit is believed to be the anticipated return of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to the APC.
The leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and a key political figure in northern Nigeria is said to have laid down a firm condition for his return: Ganduje must go.
With talks intensifying between Kwankwaso and a coalition of opposition leaders led by Atiku Abubakar, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly acted swiftly to eliminate the barrier preventing Kwankwaso’s homecoming — Ganduje’s leadership.
“Tinubu was informed that Kwankwaso was seriously considering the Atiku-led opposition alliance,” a source said. “That was a red line.”
Ganduje’s chairmanship, which began in 2023 following the resignation of Senator Abdullahi Adamu, also faced internal resistance from North Central stakeholders.
Adamu, who hails from Nasarawa, was edged out after reportedly opposing Tinubu during the APC primaries.
Since then, voices from the North Central zone have consistently demanded that the party chairmanship be returned to their region.
With Ganduje coming from the North West, critics viewed his leadership as a continuation of regional imbalance.
Now, attention has turned to potential North Central replacements including:
Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura – ex-Nasarawa governor and CPC legacy figure,
Senator George Akume – current Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF),
Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (313) – Niger East senator and former chairmanship aspirant.
However, analysts say each contender may face complications due to APC governors already controlling their states, making them unlikely to yield state party machinery to new national figures.
Following Ganduje’s exit, Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Abubakar Kyari Dalori, is expected to step in as Acting National Chairman pending a formal decision at the APC national convention scheduled for November 2025.
Speaking to Daily Trust, APC National Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said:
“If the resignation is confirmed, the deputy chairman from the same region, in this case, Dalori will constitutionally assume leadership in acting capacity.”
An emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting is reportedly in the works to ratify the interim leadership and discuss broader party strategy.
Since its formation in 2013, the APC has seen a revolving door of national chairmen, most of whom left under controversial circumstances:
Bisi Akande (2013–2014)
John Odigie-Oyegun (2014–2018)
Adams Oshiomhole (2018–2020) – ousted by NEC over internal divisions
Mai Mala Buni (2020–2022) – led a prolonged caretaker committee
Abdullahi Adamu (2022–2023) – resigned amid post-election tension
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (2023–2025) – resigned under political pressure
The trend reflects ongoing internal power struggles, regional rivalries, and the challenges of managing a complex national coalition ahead of each election cycle.
Ganduje’s resignation is more than a personnel change, it signals the beginning of a major internal realignment within the APC as it prepares for a fiercely contested 2027 election.
As new alliances form and old rivalries resurface, the choice of the next party leader will be pivotal.
