Speculation Mounts Over Ganduje’s Possible Removal as APC Chairman Following Tinubu’s Appointment

Discussions concerning the ramifications for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been sparked by his selection of Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the party, as Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Board.
A list of 42 people appointed to federal boards and agencies included Ganduje, a former Kano State governor, and a number of members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC). Some argue that this dual function could be a first step toward more extensive party reform, while others see it as a standard administrative decision.

Since Senator Abdullahi Adamu resigned, the North Central zone has been advocating for the APC chairperson, and they see Ganduje’s new job as a chance to take it back.

Using previous zoning agreements as support, stakeholders contend that the chairmanship need to return to the area.

“We’re creeping closer to 2027. The chairmanship should be switched back to the North Central, as Mr. President should do,” a party insider in the area told Daily Trust.

This issue was highlighted by Sale Zazzaga, the leader of the North Central APC Forum, who stated that “the President must correct this imbalance by restoring the chairmanship to the North Central.”

Ganduje has also been sued by the forum, which claims that his appointment violates zoning agreements made before to the 2023 election.

According to reliable APC sources, Ganduje’s appointment, like that of other members of the National Working Committee (NWC), has nothing to do with his responsibilities as the party’s chairman, notwithstanding these rumors.

According to political commentators, Ganduje’s appointment might be a component of a broader plan to get ready for a leadership change before the 2027 elections.

According to APC chieftain Chief Jackson Lekan Ojo, “Ganduje and other NWC members may use these appointments as soft landings before they leave.”

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Additionally, he proposed that in order to create a new leadership structure, the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) might dissolve the NWC at its upcoming meeting.

Claims that Ganduje’s new position compromises his chairmanship have been denied by the APC, nevertheless.

The accusations, according to APC National Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim, are baseless.

“Ganduje’s responsibilities as national chairman are unaffected by this appointment,” Ibrahim said.

Critics were accused of trying to discredit Ganduje’s significance, and he denounced the rumors as unfounded. According to him, “they come up with permutations that do not materialize every day.”

The region currently has the office of National Legal Adviser, which is held by Prof. Kana, he added, underscoring the lack of merit in the North Central’s zoning objections.

“The critics ought to inquire whether the legal advisor will also be fired,” Ibrahim said.