APC Chairman Ganduje Resigns, Cites Health Reasons Amid Party Tensions

Abuja, Nigeria — In a move that has sent ripples through Nigeria’s political landscape, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has officially stepped down as the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing health-related challenges.

The resignation was confirmed in a letter addressed to the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) on Friday evening, and comes amid escalating internal unrest, strategic disagreements, and calls for broad party reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

A Resignation Surrounded by Political Undercurrents

Though Ganduje, a former two-term governor of Kano State, attributed his resignation to health concerns requiring “intensive attention and reduced workload,” sources close to the party hint at growing dissatisfaction within party ranks over his leadership style and alleged marginalization of key party stakeholders.

His exit comes barely one year after he assumed the chairmanship, following the resignation of Senator Abdullahi Adamu in mid-2024.

“I am stepping aside for the overall interest of our great party,” Ganduje wrote in his resignation letter. “My health and well-being require me to slow down, and I believe the APC must be led with renewed energy at this critical time.”

Reactions from the APC Family

Following the announcement, reactions poured in from APC chieftains across the country. While some described the move as honorable and timely, others saw it as the result of behind-the-scenes political arm-twisting.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised Ganduje’s contributions to party growth, stating:

“Dr. Ganduje served the APC at a turbulent time, and his sacrifices must be acknowledged even as we move forward.”

However, some reform-minded APC members have described his resignation as an opportunity to “clean house and rebuild trust” within the party.

Who Takes Over?

The APC National Working Committee (NWC) is expected to meet in the coming days to announce an acting chairman, pending the next national convention. Early speculations point to former Nasarawa governor Tanko Al-Makura or Senator Adams Oshiomhole as potential interim leaders.

Mixed Public Reactions

While supporters of the former chairman wished him well, critics on social media and within opposition parties have accused Ganduje of using the health excuse to avoid accountability for unresolved allegations of corruption and party mismanagement during his tenure.

The PDP, in a brief statement, called his resignation “a delayed but inevitable outcome of poor leadership within the APC.”

Looking Ahead

With internal elections on the horizon and national elections drawing closer, the APC finds itself at a crossroads. Party loyalists hope the leadership vacuum will pave the way for genuine reforms, inclusivity, and renewed grassroots engagement.

Political analysts believe this shake-up could influence the future direction of Nigerian politics, especially in the North, where Ganduje remains a powerful figure.

News Houz will continue monitoring developments within the APC leadership and provide timely updates.