Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, former Governor of Kano State, has officially resigned from his position as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a dramatic shift in the leadership of Nigeria’s ruling party.
Ganduje’s resignation was confirmed on Thursday following weeks of internal tension, legal challenges, and increasing pressure from within the party and external stakeholders.
In a letter addressed to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC, Ganduje cited the need to protect the image of the party and allow for internal reconciliation and restructuring as part of the reasons for stepping down.
“I hereby tender my resignation as the National Chairman of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), effective immediately,” the letter read in part. “I took this step after wide consultations and in the interest of unity, peace, and progress of the party.”
The development comes amid a backdrop of controversies surrounding Ganduje’s leadership, including his suspension by a faction of the party in his home state of Kano, allegations of corruption, and widespread calls for his removal.
Though Ganduje had initially resisted calls to resign, sources say mounting pressure from key party leaders, including some within the Presidency, made his position increasingly untenable.
Reactions have begun to pour in from across the political spectrum. While some APC members commended Ganduje for what they called a “patriotic decision,” others have called for deeper reforms within the party to restore public trust ahead of the 2027 elections.
The APC is expected to appoint an acting chairman in the coming days, pending a national convention that will produce a substantive replacement.
Ganduje, who took over the chairmanship of the party in 2023, was seen as a close ally of President Bola Tinubu. His exit may reshape internal power dynamics within the APC, especially in the North-West geopolitical zone where he remains a key political figure.