Former Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, is being strongly considered as the next national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to reliable sources. The 73-year-old politician recently met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and three governors who are members of the APC at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The resignation of Senator Abdullahi Adamu as the party’s national chairman had created a vacancy, and it appears Ganduje is being lined up as an interim replacement until the party’s convention later in the year.
Ganduje’s candidacy for the party chairmanship reportedly gained momentum when President Tinubu expressed his interest in appointing him to the position upon returning from an African Union meeting in Kenya.
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), was instrumental in gaining support from other governors and stakeholders for Ganduje’s candidacy.
The news of Ganduje’s potential appointment was met with jubilation in Kano State, as party members believe it will strengthen the party’s presence in the state and the entire northwest region. However, it is worth noting that Ganduje’s selection has not been without controversy, as investigations into an alleged dollar bribery video involving him have been reopened by the state’s Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.
In the meantime, President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima have been engaging in consultations with key players, including governors and senators, to address economic challenges and the distribution of palliatives following the removal of fuel subsidies.