ABUJA, Nigeria — Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former two-term Governor of Kano State, has formally resigned from his position, citing the need to attend to “urgent and important” health and personal matters.
Ganduje’s resignation was confirmed Friday, June 27, 2025, by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a statement that praised the outgoing chairman for his “invaluable contributions” during his time in office.
According to Morka, Ganduje’s resignation letter was submitted to the APC National Working Committee (NWC) through the party’s National Secretary, Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, and took effect immediately.
In the interim, Ali Dalori, the party’s Deputy National Chairman (North), has been directed to assume the role of Acting National Chairman, pending a formal ratification by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) scheduled for December.
Ganduje assumed the chairmanship in August 2023, following the resignation of Abdullahi Adamu.
His tenure was marked by legal wrangling, internal party disputes, particularly in the Kano chapter, and criticism from some senior APC stakeholders.
Despite citing health concerns as the reason for his resignation, Ganduje had remained visibly active in recent days.
On Thursday, June 26, 2025, he participated in the INEC quarterly consultative meeting alongside other political leaders.
Earlier on Friday, he led the APC’s NWC on a condolence visit to Niger State Governor Umar Bago, following deadly floods and violent attacks in Mokwa and Mariga.
Morka’s statement acknowledged Ganduje’s contributions to the party’s growth, including “successful defections from opposition parties and legal affirmations of our party leadership’s legitimacy.”
“Throughout his tenure, he dedicated himself to strengthening the party’s unity and cohesion, expounding its democratic ideals and enhancing the party’s electoral competitiveness,” Morka said.
Ganduje’s exit has reignited calls from the North-Central APC Forum for the national chairmanship to be returned to their region.
The group, led by Saleh Zazzaga, argued that the zone was previously shortchanged after the resignation of Adamu and should now be given the opportunity to complete that tenure.
Ganduje’s resignation also shifts attention to the possible defection of Rabiu Kwankwaso, his longtime political rival and former Kano governor, to the APC.
Kwankwaso, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), remains one of the most influential northern politicians ahead of the 2027 elections.
While no formal move has been announced, sources within the APC say high-level discussions are ongoing to bring Kwankwaso into the party as part of a wider consolidation effort ahead of the next general elections.
Morka assured party members that despite the leadership transition, the APC remains committed to its “Renewed Hope” agenda under President Bola Tinubu.
“The party remains steadfast and unwavering in its mission to deliver transformative governance for all Nigerians,” he said.
