Ganduje Resigns as APC Chairman Amid Tensions Over Kwankwaso’s Planned Defection
New details have emerged explaining the sudden resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday — a move that has stirred intense political debate across Nigeria.
According to sources within the APC, Ganduje’s resignation was triggered by reported plans for former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso—his longtime political rival—to join the ruling party. The development followed an alleged agreement between President Bola Tinubu and Kwankwaso to facilitate the latter’s entry into the APC.
By 3 p.m. on Friday, tensions had reportedly reached a boiling point at the APC National Secretariat, with insiders revealing that Ganduje was threatening to quit. Principal party officers, including National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, made frantic efforts to dissuade him.
“We are currently pleading with him (Ganduje) not to resign. He is upset that Kwankwaso is coming to the APC. I think the two of them are sworn enemies,” said one insider.
Despite these appeals, Ganduje formally stepped down by 4:15 p.m., with sources saying the decision was “irreversible.” A staff member at the APC secretariat downplayed the scene, calling it routine:
“There is no crisis, just that the chairman has resigned and people gathered at the secretariat to discuss about it.”
A History of Political Rivalry
Ganduje and Kwankwaso have a complicated and fractured political relationship. The duo once served as governor and deputy in Kano State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 2011 to 2015. However, after Ganduje succeeded Kwankwaso as governor under the APC in 2015, their alliance deteriorated into open rivalry.
One major point of contention was Ganduje’s controversial dethronement of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi, seen as an ally of Kwankwaso. The emir was reinstated in May 2024 by Kano Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), which is led by Kwankwaso.
Though Ganduje cited health reasons for his resignation, the political undertones are unmistakable. A close ally of Kwankwaso, Buba Galadima, disclosed that a high-level meeting involving APC stakeholders and the Presidency had recently taken place.
“They agreed that Ganduje and Vice President Kashim Shettima should be sacrificed to bring in a new set of people into government and the party,” Galadima claimed.
He added, however, that he was not aware of Kwankwaso’s defection plans, noting that the personal animosity between him and Ganduje runs deep.
Reactions and Next Steps
Social media buzzed with reactions to the news. Ganduje’s aide, Salihu Yakasai, tweeted:
“TINUBU WHY, APC WHY,” followed by crying emojis — a signal of deep frustration within Ganduje’s camp.
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