The All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed that consultations are underway to replace its former National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned last week. The development comes amid internal restructuring efforts and speculation over future leadership dynamics within Nigeria’s ruling party.
Speaking on Sunday Politics, a current affairs programme on Channels Television, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, stated that the party was moving swiftly to fill the leadership vacuum.
“This is an extraordinary situation where the National Chairman of our party has resigned, and we will take steps immediately to fill that vacancy,” Morka said. “The NEC [National Executive Committee] meeting of our party will be convened imminently. No date has been set yet, but I believe that in the coming days we will determine that date and proceed to initiate constitutional procedures to replace our National Chairman.”
Pressed on how quickly the replacement process might be concluded, Morka indicated it would be resolved “really soon,” adding that stakeholder consultations were already underway.
“As we speak, that process has been triggered. We hope that in the coming days we will agree on a date that works for all stakeholders. We will continue from where Ganduje has stopped,” he said.
Ganduje’s resignation was officially announced by the party on Thursday, June 27, in a statement also issued by Morka. The former Kano State governor reportedly stepped down to “attend to urgent and important personal matters.” His resignation took immediate effect.
In his letter addressed to the National Working Committee through the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, Ganduje expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to lead the party.
Following Ganduje’s exit, President Tinubu directed the Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori, to assume the role of Acting National Chairman, pending the NEC’s selection of a substantive replacement.
Ganduje, who took office in August 2023 after the resignation of his predecessor, Abdullahi Adamu, had faced internal criticism over his appointment, with some party stakeholders claiming it violated zoning principles, as both he and Tinubu hail from the North-West and South-West, respectively.
His resignation has fueled further speculation about a possible realignment in the party’s power structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
Morka, however, dismissed claims of internal dysfunction or presidential dissatisfaction with Ganduje prior to his resignation, calling such claims “speculative.”
“The party is running as it should. People are entitled to have their moments, but that does not indicate dysfunction,” he said. “The President is at liberty to speak on any matter. He hasn’t done so, and we cannot act based on speculation.”
Addressing rumours that former Kano State governor and opposition figure Rabiu Kwankwaso might be joining the APC, Morka was categorical.
“The party I speak for has said nothing about Kwankwaso possibly joining. We have not made that determination and are not able to make it at the moment,” he said.
Ganduje, a two-term governor of Kano State (2015–2023), was appointed Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in January 2025 and is reportedly under consideration for a non-career ambassadorial role. His future political path remains a subject of intense speculation, especially within Kano’s political circles.
With NEC consultations underway, the APC is expected to announce a date for its leadership meeting in the coming days, as the party seeks to stabilise its internal structure ahead of critical political timelines.
