Former lawmaker and prominent APC member, Hon. Cletus Obun, has described the resignation of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a voluntary, strategic move aimed at preserving party unity and giving room for a new leadership transition ahead of the party’s convention.
Speaking in an interview on ARISE News on Tuesday, Obun stated that Ganduje stepped down on his own terms, citing health reasons and a desire not to be tempted into seeking a second term after what he described as a relatively peaceful tenure.
“Dr. Ganduje has given personal reasons of health,” Obun said. “Of course, this is politics, and every political action will always be met with speculation and interpretations. But essentially, those of us within the party know that Ganduje was a reluctant chairman from the beginning. He didn’t vie for the position, but the party needed a stabilising figure after the 2023 elections.”
According to Obun, Ganduje’s appointment shortly after the swearing-in of President Bola Tinubu was a deliberate effort to restore calm after the turbulent tenure of former chairman Abdullahi Adamu.
“There was a lot of rancour in the build-up to the APC primaries,” Obun noted. “Adamu’s actions created tensions, and so the party agreed that he had to go. Ganduje came in to stabilise the system—and he did. Under his leadership, there’s been relative peace within the APC.”
Obun also dismissed suggestions that Ganduje’s resignation was part of a political ploy to pave the way for rival power blocs within the party, particularly from Kano.
“Ganduje’s decision to leave is both honourable and timely,” he said. “It gives the party enough time to prepare and choose a new chairman who will lead it into the next phase. He has played his role as a man of peace.”
Responding to speculation about possible changes in the APC’s power configuration—especially concerning Vice President Kashim Shettima—Obun firmly ruled out any plan to drop the vice president, affirming that the party’s zoning convention remains intact.
“At no time has the party agreed, nor has the president insinuated, that he’s about to change his vice,” Obun said. “The vice presidency and the party chairmanship must both come from the North, while the presidency remains in the South. That is consistent with the APC’s zoning principle since 2015. So, the vice president’s position is not under threat.”
Pressed further on concerns about whether the APC might end up with both the national chairman and vice president from the same geopolitical zone—specifically the North-East—Obun explained that current arrangements were transitional.
“The current acting chairman is a midwife,” he said. “In the next meeting, a substantive chairman will be nominated. The deputy chairman is only acting to obey the party’s constitution. Eventually, the position of chairman will go to another part of the North, most likely the North-Central or North-West.”
He added that the party’s internal structure was designed to reflect national spread and inclusivity, and the leadership understands the importance of regional balance.
“In APC, no two major positions like the vice presidency and chairmanship come from the same zone. That won’t happen. Our constitution—rooted in traditions from the ACN and CPC—demands inclusivity across interest groups and regions.”
Addressing speculations that Ganduje’s exit was to clear the way for new entrants from Kano—potentially political rivals like Rabiu Kwankwaso—Obun downplayed such theories.
“Most people don’t understand the historical dynamics between Ganduje and those they consider his enemies,” he said. “Political alliances shift based on convenience, not personal enmity. In Kano, these figures have been long-time allies despite their party differences.”
Obun emphasised that the APC welcomes new members and coalitions and would not discard its old members for new political alliances.
“It’s irresponsible for a man to discard his old wife just because he wants to marry a new one,” he said. “The APC is not doing that. The goal is to expand, not to replace loyal stakeholders.”
Obun also highlighted the importance of ensuring regional representation across political offices within the APC and the federal government.
“In the North-East, we have the Vice President and Deputy Senate President. The North-West has the Speaker. The North-Central has the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). So no region is being left out. It’s all about balance and where we can get the best electoral outcomes.”
He concluded by reaffirming that the vice president “is sitting well and sitting pretty,” and dismissed any insinuation of a shake-up at the top as unfounded political speculation.
“The political calculations now are not about changing the vice president,” he said. “It’s about consolidating our gains and preparing for future victories.”
Boluwatife Enome
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