*Leadership Talks Intensify as APC Considers New National Chairman *Ganduje’s Exit, Power Zoning Loom Over Party’s Strategic Session Ahead o...
*Leadership Talks Intensify as APC Considers New National Chairman
*Ganduje’s Exit, Power Zoning Loom Over Party’s Strategic Session
Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday hosted governors elected on the party’s platform at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking to journalists after the closed-door session, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma, said the meeting aimed to fortify the party and enhance its capacity to deliver on governance.
However, Uzodinma remained tight-lipped on what specific decisions might emerge from the NEC meeting. “We cannot say what will happen until we get there tomorrow,” he said.
The NEC meeting is coming amid speculations over who will replace Abdullahi Ganduje, who recently resigned as the APC National Chairman, citing health reasons. Ganduje, a former Kano State governor, has since been appointed Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Though the party had earlier zoned the national chairmanship to the North-central region—which includes Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Kogi, and Kwara—Ganduje’s emergence from the North-west disrupted the arrangement. With his resignation, calls have intensified for the chairmanship to return to the North-central.
Ali Dalori, the former Deputy National Chairman (North), currently holds the chairmanship in an acting capacity following his appointment on June 28.
A number of high-profile politicians from the North-central zone have been linked to the role. They include SGF George Akume, former Nasarawa Governor Tanko Al-Makura, Senator Sani Musa, former Plateau Governor Joshua Dariye, former Senator Solomon Ewuga, former PDP Chairman Barnabas Gemade, and APC stalwart Mohammed Etsu. While Akume has denied interest, others remain possible contenders.
In 2022, Al-Makura, Musa, and Etsu were chairmanship hopefuls before stepping down for Abdullahi Adamu, who emerged with the backing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Thursday’s NEC meeting may also include a special session to honour the late President Buhari, the party’s first elected president, who passed away on July 13.
In a last-minute change, the APC National Working Committee announced that the meeting, initially slated for the party’s national secretariat, will now be held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, citing logistical reasons.
According to the APC Constitution (Section 12.3), expected attendees include President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and members of the NWC, among others.
Although a National Caucus meeting was expected to precede the NEC session, sources say it was put off by the President without an official explanation.
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