Abuja, Nigeria — Following the resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the North-Central geopolitical zone has made a strong case for reclaiming the top party leadership position, reigniting internal power-sharing debates within the ruling party.
Leaders and stakeholders from the zone say it is only fair and politically strategic for the APC to return the chairmanship seat to the North-Central, which originally held the position before it was controversially handed to Ganduje, who hails from the North-West.
Background to the Demand
Dr. Ganduje’s resignation, officially linked to health reasons, came amid mounting internal pressures, alleged marginalization of key stakeholders, and calls for party restructuring ahead of the 2027 elections.
Before Ganduje’s emergence in 2023, the APC National Chairmanship was occupied by Senator Abdullahi Adamu of Nasarawa State (North-Central). His sudden exit and the subsequent appointment of Ganduje were widely criticized by party members from the Middle Belt, who felt shortchanged in the party’s power calculus.
Voices from the Zone
Prominent APC leaders from Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Plateau, and Niger States have united in their appeal to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), warning that failure to correct the “injustice” could weaken the party’s base in the region.
“The North-Central made major sacrifices for APC’s victory in 2023 and deserves its fair share,” said Hon. Yusuf Tanko, a former Reps member from Kwara State.
“Our zone should not be reduced to just a voting bloc — we want real leadership roles,” added Senator Istifanus Gyang from Plateau.
Zoning, Balance, and Party Unity
Observers say returning the chairmanship to North-Central will help balance the APC’s internal zoning structure:
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President Tinubu is from the South-West.
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Vice President Shettima is from the North-East.
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The Senate President is from South-South.
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The Speaker of the House is from North-West.
Political analysts believe handing the chairmanship to North-Central could heal internal rifts and strengthen APC’s strategic grip ahead of the next elections.
Calls for Immediate Action
The APC National Executive Committee (NEC) is expected to meet in the coming weeks to appoint an interim chairman or schedule a mini-convention. Several names from North-Central are already being floated, including:
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Senator George Akume (Minister of Special Duties)
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Senator Tanko Al-Makura (former Nasarawa governor)
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Hon. James Faleke (Tinubu ally from Kogi)
The final decision, however, is expected to reflect not just political merit but internal consensus and regional appeasement.
Potential Fallout
Failure to consider the North-Central’s demand could stoke political discontent within the party, with insiders warning of potential defections or protest votes in upcoming state elections in Kogi and Benue.
NewsHouz will provide updates on the APC chairmanship transition and how it may reshape the party's 2027 political roadmap.
