APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje resigns, citing personal reasons, as Tinubu appoints Ali Dalori acting chair pending NEC decision

Ganduje resigns APC chairmanship in a move that signals significant realignment within Nigeria’s ruling party. The development was confirmed on Friday, June 27, 2025, following a letter of resignation submitted by Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to the National Working Committee.

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Ganduje, who assumed the role in August 2023 after the exit of Senator Abdullahi Adamu, said he was stepping down due to urgent personal matters.

While the party maintained this official position, sources close to the party hierarchy cited health concerns and rising dissatisfaction within the North-Central bloc as possible contributing factors.

Reacting swiftly, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, to assume the position of Acting National Chairman.

This decision is to hold until the party convenes a National Executive Committee meeting to formally address the leadership transition. The appointment was announced by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.

In his resignation letter, Ganduje thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to lead the party, and expressed pride in what he described as significant strides during his tenure. “My commitment to party unity and electoral victory has been unwavering,” he wrote.

“He leaves his position as National Chairman with great pride in our collective achievements, including successful defections from opposition parties and legal affirmations of our Party leadership’s legitimacy,” Morka declared in his official statement.

Despite the tone of unity presented by party officials, the resignation has revived longstanding tensions within the APC, especially in the North-Central zone.

Stakeholders have for months demanded that the chairmanship be returned to their region, describing Ganduje’s appointment from the North-West as a breach of internal zoning principles.

The resignation now opens the door for fresh speculation on who may succeed Ganduje permanently. Senator Umar Tanko Al-Makura, former governor of Nasarawa State, has emerged as a strong favourite. “Al-Makura is top on that list, as far as I know,” a party source said, pointing to efforts to restore geographical balance.

Ganduje’s political journey remains far from over. His appointment in January 2025 as Board Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria highlights his continuing influence.

However, his exit from the APC’s highest position is being read as a watershed moment for the party’s internal power dynamics.

Morka, speaking on behalf of the National Working Committee, praised Ganduje’s leadership and wished him success. “We remain steadfast and unwavering in our mission to deliver transformative governance for all Nigerians,” he said, reiterating the party’s alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

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As Dalori assumes interim leadership, all eyes are on the APC’s next moves. The outcome of the coming NEC meeting could determine whether the party can retain cohesion as Nigeria inches closer to another election cycle.