The resignation of All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has sparked fresh calls for the ruling party to return the position to Nigeria’s North-Central region.
Ganduje stepped down on Friday under pressure from party stakeholders. He had been appointed chairman in August 2023 after the resignation of Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who is from Nasarawa State in the North-Central zone.
Following his resignation, several APC leaders and groups from the North-Central have asked the party to respect its zoning arrangement and return the chairmanship to their region.
Daniel Ihomun, spokesperson for the Benue APC faction loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said, “The national chairmanship of APC was originally zoned to the North-Central. With Ganduje’s resignation, this will be done as soon as the President returns.”
Another Benue APC spokesperson, James Orgunga, from the faction loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia, agreed. He said the North-Central deserves to produce the next chairman based on the party’s zoning formula.
In Nasarawa State, the APC Forum endorsed former Governor Tanko Al-Makura for the top job. In a statement titled Why Al-Makura Deserves to be APC National Chairman, Forum Chairman Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga said the endorsement followed wide consultations among North-Central stakeholders.
“After extensive deliberations, the North-Central APC Forum has decided to endorse Senator Tanko Al-Makura. This is in line with our demand that the position returns to the North-Central,” the statement said.
In Kogi State, APC chairman Abdullah Bello said he would be pleased if the post comes to the North-Central. “I will be happy if the position is given to the North Central, which is my zone. But the decision lies with the President,” he said.
However, not all party leaders are taking sides. Kwara APC chairman Sunday Fagbemi said the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) should decide.
“They know what is good for the party and what will bring peace and stability,” he said.
Leaders from the Northwest also reacted. Kaduna APC chairman Air Commodore Emmanuel Jekada (retd.) said the final decision belongs to the party leaders.
“You are the one wearing the shoes; you alone know where it pinches,” he added.
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APC leaders from Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara also said they would support whatever decision the national leadership makes.
Zamfara State APC Publicity Secretary Yusuf Idris said, “We are ready to accept whoever will promote peace and progress within the party.”
Meanwhile, a Kano APC chieftain, Alhaji Alhassan Yaryasa, praised Ganduje for stepping down.
“He took the best decision. There was a plan to bring Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso into the APC, possibly as Tinubu’s running mate in 2027. Ganduje’s resignation prevented disgrace,” he said.