As the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares for its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, debate continues over which region should fill the national chairman role. With the resignation of former Kano State governor Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, party leaders are split between the North Central and North West.
According to insiders, the party is waiting for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to weigh in, but momentum is building for both zones.
Sources say that supporters from the North West want to “retain the position … to give the impression of continuity” following Ganduje’s exit. They argue this will help “avoid hurting APC members from the North West” and minimize internal conflict.
Meanwhile, voices from North Central emphasize their entitlement under the party’s zoning agreement, noting they are “waiting for the green light from Mr President.”
Multiple APC heavyweights from North Central such as former governors Tanko Al-Makura, Yahaya Bello, Joshua Dariye, and Senators Sani Musa, Solomon Ewuga, and Salihu Mustapha are reportedly positioning themselves for consideration.
The only active contender from the North West is Senator Abu Ibrahim of Katsina State. Still, Ibrahim dispelled speculation, saying:
“I’ve not discussed it with the president. Nobody has reached out to me or sought my view.… Personally, I believe I’ve done my part in politics. I would prefer to retire and allow younger leaders to emerge.”
Party insiders reveal President Tinubu’s preference will heavily influence the process, with some suggesting that Senator Ibrahim’s close ties to the president prompted SGF George Akume, a North Central native, to withdraw from contention, stating he is “not in a hurry to abdicate my responsibility…”
A legal threat is also emerging: Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, chairman of the North Central APC Forum, warned:
“It is our turn; it is the turn of the North Central. So, if they decide not to give us, we will have no other alternative than to proceed to court.”
APC constitution-review member Barrister Bashir Maidugu emphasized that:
“It can go to the North West, North Central or any other zone. The party’s leadership will decide based on strategy and electoral balance.”
There are emerging concerns that religious considerations might figure in the decision. A confidential source said:
“For fairness and justice… whoever Mr President is anointing should be a Christian this time.”
With NEC scheduled for July 24, a key question remains: will the party allow acting chairman Ali Bukar Dalori (North West) to continue temporarily, or will a substantive replacement emerge? Bala Ibrahim, the party’s spokesman, insisted:
“The party has no anointed or preferred candidate for now,” adding that “all aspirants would be given a level‑playing field when the time comes.”
