A new National Chairman for Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could be announced this Thursday during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, according to findings by The PUNCH.
Former party chairman and ex-governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, stepped down in June, officially due to health reasons. However, insiders suggest that his resignation was influenced by internal political struggles and strategic moves ahead of the 2027 general elections. …CONTINUE READING
Since Ganduje’s departure, Deputy National Chairman Ali Dalori has been serving as the interim party leader.
According to party sources, key issues to be discussed at Thursday’s NEC meeting include choosing a new chairman, updates on the constitution review, and upcoming party congresses.
Although many APC leaders support Dalori continuing in the acting role until a formal elective convention is held, the final decision is expected to be influenced by President Bola Tinubu. The President’s stance on the leadership issue is being closely awaited by top party figures, including members of the Progressives Governors Forum and the current National Working Committee (NWC).
So far, former Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura and the current Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, have emerged as strong contenders. Both are from the North-Central region, which is now lobbying to reclaim the chairmanship slot.
Historically, the APC has had five national chairmen before Ganduje: Bisi Akande, John Oyegun, Adams Oshiomhole, Mai Mala Buni, and Abdullahi Adamu.
Under Article 13.3 of the APC Constitution (amended in 2022), the NEC has the power to appoint a new chairman or set up a Caretaker Committee if necessary. Any caretaker committee formed can only serve for a maximum of 12 months.
On June 30, Deputy National Secretary Festus Fuanter announced that the NEC meeting would take place on July 24 in Abuja. He explained that if the party decides to nominate a new chairman during the meeting, the name would be forwarded for final ratification at the next convention.
Sources confirmed that President Tinubu has been briefed and is expected to play a major role in deciding who will lead the party. High-level lobbying has already started, with Al-Makura, Yilwatda, and Dalori being top candidates.
“The NEC meeting will address several pressing issues,” said a party insider. “This includes e-registration, constitutional amendments, by-elections, and the selection of a permanent national chairman.”
Although it’s uncertain if a final decision will be made on Thursday, there are arguments for keeping Dalori in the interim position until a full NWC is elected later. However, others believe a new chairman must be selected immediately.
President Tinubu, who has attended the last two NEC meetings, is also expected at Thursday’s session. Some APC leaders believe that, just like Ganduje’s appointment was made at a NEC gathering, his replacement will also emerge there.
The APC North-Central Forum has urged Tinubu and party leaders to return the chairman’s position to their region. In a statement by its chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, the group argued that the North-Central has long contributed significantly to APC’s success and deserves the role.
The region had held the chairmanship when Abdullahi Adamu was appointed in 2022. After Adamu’s resignation in 2023, Ganduje from the North-West took over.
The forum highlighted that the North-Central region delivered the third-highest number of votes for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election. It also noted that APC currently governs five out of six states in the region.
They rejected any attempt to keep Dalori, from the North-East, as interim chairman, describing such a move as unjust. “There are qualified leaders in the North-Central who can steer the party forward,” Zazzaga said, calling on Tinubu to make a fair choice.
Meanwhile, APC leaders in Kaduna and Zamfara (both in the North-West) responded by urging that the selection process follow the party’s rules and democratic norms.
Kaduna APC’s Publicity Secretary, Salisu Wusono, said he supports the North-Central’s demand as long as it’s aligned with the APC constitution.
His counterpart in Zamfara, Yusuf Idris, noted that while the resignation of Ganduje was unfortunate, the party would support any leader who could unite and advance APC’s goals — regardless of their region.
