APC Northern Stakeholders Advocate for Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje’s Retention as National Chairman
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) approaches the upcoming National Caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings scheduled for September 11 and 12, 2024, the political landscape within the party is heating up. Stakeholders and members from the North West and North East regions have intensified their calls for the retention and ratification of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as the party’s National Chairman. This development comes amid rising concerns over internal plots by certain factions within the party to destabilize the current leadership, particularly targeting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
A faction from the North Central zone, reportedly led by the North Central APC Forum under the vocal leadership of Alhaji Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, has been pushing for the chairmanship to be returned to their region. This move has raised suspicions among other stakeholders, particularly in the North West and North East, who believe that the effort to replace Dr. Ganduje is part of a larger scheme to undermine the party’s stability and, ultimately, President Tinubu’s chances for re-election in 2027.
Sources within the party suggest that the North Central group is holding secret meetings and plotting to sway the NEC’s decision against the ratification of Dr. Ganduje. This development has alarmed the Northern stakeholders of the APC, including youth groups, women’s wings, business leaders, and market women, who are urging President Tinubu to push for the NEC’s approval to confirm Dr. Ganduje’s position as National Chairman.
The Northern stakeholders argue that retaining Dr. Ganduje is crucial for the APC to maintain its stronghold in the North West and North East, and to safeguard the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections. They believe that the current efforts to unseat Dr. Ganduje are part of a calculated attempt to weaken the party’s influence in these key regions, thereby reducing President Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term.
The North Central group, however, appears resolute in their demand for the chairmanship to be returned to their zone. Alhaji Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, a prominent voice in this faction, has been particularly vocal in his criticism of the current leadership, arguing that the chairmanship should rotate back to the North Central to ensure regional balance and equity within the party.
As the NEC and National Caucus meetings approach, the tension within the APC is palpable. The outcome of these meetings could have far-reaching implications for the party’s unity and its strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 elections. For now, the Northern stakeholders remain steadfast in their support for Dr. Ganduje, urging President Tinubu and other party leaders to recognize the importance of retaining a leadership that they believe will secure the party’s future success in the North and beyond.
The coming days will be critical in determining whether the APC can navigate these internal challenges and emerge with a unified front, or whether the party will be further fractured by regional and factional interests.
Hon. Bala Salihu Dawakin kudu
Director General
Progressive amalgamations of Northern Nigeria (PANN).
Phone 🤳 08060017834
