Following the unexpected resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), intense pressure is reportedly mounting on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to relinquish his current role and assume the party’s top position, DAILY GAZETTE has learned.
However, in a swift response to circulating rumours, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, clarified that Akume remains in his position as SGF.
On Saturday night, Onanuga issued a brief statement refuting the claims of any leadership change.
“The information circulating about Akume’s replacement is untrue. Agents of mischief fabricated it. The Presidency advises Nigerians to disregard the fake news,” he stated.
Despite the rebuttal, sources within the party confirmed that calls for Akume to lead the APC have grown louder, especially from stakeholders in the North-Central geopolitical zone, who argue that it is time for the chairmanship to return to their region.
The renewed push comes after Ganduje’s resignation and in line with the APC’s 2022 zoning formula, which originally assigned the National Chairman role to the North-Central before it shifted to the North-West.
Ganduje, who emerged as chairman in August 2023 following Senator Abdullahi Adamu’s resignation, officially stepped down on Friday, citing health concerns.
His resignation ends a 22-month tenure marked by internal party challenges and strategic positioning ahead of 2027.
The development has revived agitation from North-Central APC leaders who feel their region was unfairly sidelined.
They now see an opportunity to reclaim the chairmanship, and many consider Akume, a former governor of Benue State and seasoned politician, as a frontrunner.
“The stakeholders believe that with Akume’s experience and track records, he is the best man for the job,” a party source revealed to THISDAY.
Following Ganduje’s exit, the Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Ali Dalori, has assumed the role of Acting National Chairman in accordance with the APC’s constitution.
Dalori is expected to steer the party temporarily until a substantive replacement is announced by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) in December.
It will be recalled that despite opposition from several groups in the North-Central region, the NEC in February reaffirmed the zoning of the party chairmanship to the North-West, leading to Ganduje’s continued leadership until his sudden resignation.
“Ganduje’s resignation led to the renewed agitation by the leaders of the party from the North-Central geopolitical zone to have the office of the National Chairman returned to the zone, in line with the 2022 zoning formula of the party,” a source noted.
While Akume himself has not publicly expressed interest in the position, insiders say his name is being actively promoted behind the scenes.
In fact, no fewer than five notable figures from the region are reportedly eyeing the chairmanship. They include:
Senator Umar Tanko Al-Makura (former governor of Nasarawa State)
Senator Joshua Dariye (former governor of Plateau State)
Yahaya Bello (former governor of Kogi State)
Senator Solomon Ewuga
Senator Sani Musa (currently representing Niger East Senatorial District)
Meanwhile, the party is expected to hold key consultations in the coming weeks to settle the question of permanent leadership and zoning.
