Date of Resignation: June 27, 2025 — Abdullahi Umar Ganduje officially stepped down as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), effective immediately
1. Reason for Resignation
Ganduje cited health concerns as the primary reason for his departure . However, insiders also pointed to intensifying political tensions within the APC, and allegations linking his office to financial excess and “excessive financial demands” as underlying factors
2. His Tenure
- Assumed office in August 2023, following the resignation of Senator Abdullahi Adamu .
- His leadership was often marked by internal party disputes, legal challenges, and public criticism concerning governance and ethics.
3. Immediate Aftermath
- Ganduje submitted his resignation letter to the APC National Working Committee through the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru .
- His personal belongings were reportedly removed from the APC headquarters in Abuja, and the atmosphere in the party secretariat was described as tense and chaotic .
4. Interim Leadership
- The Deputy National Chairman (North), Abubakar Dalori, or another national vice-chairman, is set to take over in an acting capacity until a substantive chairman is elected at the party’s national convention in December 2025 .
- The shift has triggered internal consultations as the APC seeks to maintain unity and prepare for upcoming elections .
Significance & Implications
- Political Stability: Ganduje’s resignation highlights fractures within the APC, especially amid zoning debates and factionalism across Nigeria’s regions .
- Timing: Occurring ahead of major state and national elections, the leadership void may test the APC’s organizational resilience and cohesion .
- Reputation: With ongoing allegations of corruption, leadership over politicized zoning, and demands for ethical governance, Ganduje’s exit might ease some internal pressures but also opens space for new power struggles .
Next Steps
- Acting Leadership: An acting chairperson will be officially announced by the National Working Committee in the coming days.
- Convention Preparations: The APC is expected to hold its national convention in December 2025, where a substantive National Chairman will be elected.
- Internal Recalibration: Stakeholders across zones will likely intensify lobbying efforts to influence the next leadership direction and party zoning arrangements.
Summary
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has resigned as APC National Chairman, citing health issues amid deeper political and financial tensions within the party. His exit leaves a temporary void at a critical time, raising strategic questions around leadership selection, party unity, and alignment with upcoming electoral goals. The APC now turns its focus toward identifying an acting head, managing internal dynamics, and preparing for its December convention.
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