Following the sudden resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), fresh political permutations are pointing toward the possible emergence of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as a potential replacement.
An APC chieftain, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Guardian that Ganduje’s resignation may have been the result of internal zoning tensions, particularly over the North Central’s claim to the party’s top office — a region the chieftain insists was sidelined in favour of Ganduje, who hails from the North West.
“Ganduje might have been forced to resign. A voluntary resignation at that level is rarely genuine. That seat is hot,” the source said. “Just look at the pattern — Oshiomhole, Abdullahi Adamu — no chairman completes a full tenure. The zoning controversy likely played a part.”
He maintained that the APC chairmanship was originally reserved for the North Central, and Ganduje’s emergence had stirred internal dissatisfaction that may have cost him the seat.
When asked about rumours of a power tussle between Ganduje and Vice President Kashim Shettima, the chieftain dismissed the suggestion, instead pointing fingers at President Bola Tinubu as the orchestrator of recent political tension in the North East.
“The Gombe drama was a calculated move by the President to jolt APC members in the Northeast into action ahead of 2027. Their 2023 contribution was underwhelming, and this was a wake-up call, not a Shettima-Ganduje fight,” he clarified.
On how Ganduje’s exit could affect President Tinubu’s political standing in Kano in the next general election, the chieftain expressed confidence in Ganduje’s loyalty.
“I don’t think it will hurt Tinubu. Ganduje is loyal. He won’t fight back,” he said.
However, the most striking remark came in the form of a bold prediction: “The way things are going, Kwankwaso may emerge as APC Chairman. He’ll join APC soon — that’s my personal observation.”
If true, this would mark a stunning political twist in the Kano power structure, positioning Kwankwaso, a former governor and presidential candidate, at the helm of the ruling party.