• 30 Jun, 2025
• Faith Kegh
• No comment

Ganduje’s Exit: Kwankwaso’s Camp Plots Next Move as APC Chair Race Heats Up.

The political landscape in Nigeria continues to shift following the recent resignation of Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The move has opened up new possib

ilities especially for the camp of former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who may now be in a stronger position to realign politically.

      Kwankwaso’s Supporters React

Ganduje, once a close ally turned rival of Kwankwaso, stepped down citing health concerns. But according to members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, the resignation was less about health and more about pressure stemming from internal party scandals and corruption allegations.

Hashimu Dungurawa, NNPP Chairman in Kano and a vocal Kwankwasiyya figure, called the resignation “an embarrassment to Kano.” He alleged that Ganduje was compelled to step down following accusations of bribery and misconduct during recent party elections, including allegations of tampering with delegate lists and collecting bribes.

While speculation mounts about whether Kwankwaso will now defect to the APC, Dungurawa was careful not to confirm any plans, stating that such decisions rest with Kwankwaso himself.

      APC Eyes New Leadership

Meanwhile, the APC is preparing for a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to chart a way forward. According to party spokesperson Felix Morka, the NEC will decide not only Ganduje’s replacement but also broader issues such as party zoning.

Morka dismissed rumors that President Bola Tinubu pressured Ganduje to resign, and clarified that nothing official has been said about Kwankwaso joining the party at least not yet.

      NNPP Weighs In

Interestingly, the NNPP itself isn’t resisting the idea of a Kwankwaso defection. In a statement,Oginni Olaposi, the party’s National Secretary, said the APC might be better suited to handle Kwankwaso’s political baggage.

Olaposi accused Kwankwaso of trying to hijack the NNPP, changing its logo to reflect his Kwankwasiyya brand, and dragging the party through legal battles. He emphasized that Kwankwaso had been expelled for anti-party activities, although the former governor still claims membership.

“We would be relieved if any deal between Kwankwaso and the APC materializes,” Olaposi said, making it clear that many within the NNPP are ready to move on.

      Al-Makura Emerges as APC Chair Front-runner

With the chairmanship position now vacant, attention has turned to potential successors. The APC North-Central Forum has thrown its weight behind Senator Tanko Al-Makura, former governor of Nasarawa State, as its preferred candidate.

In a statement led by Forum Chairman Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, Al-Makura was praised for his decades of political experience and deep roots within the APC. The group highlighted his history of service from his time as a youth leader in the National Party of Nigeria to his tenure as governor under the CPC, one of the APC’s founding parties.

Significantly, Al-Makura is seen as a unifying figure who represents the often-overlooked CPC bloc, which has yet to produce a national chairman.

      What’s Next?

Ganduje’s resignation is more than just a leadership change—it’s a political domino that could reshape party alliances ahead of 2027. Whether Kwankwaso joins the APC or charts a different path remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the stakes are rising, and the battle for control in Nigeria’s political sphere is far from over.

Faith Kegh

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