Dalori Arrives Abuja to Resume Office as APC Acting National Chairman

Abuja, FCT, Nigeria — Ali Bukar Dalori, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Chairman (North), has officially arrived in Abuja to assume the role of Acting National Chairman following Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s resignation earlier this week.

Stepping Into Leadership

Dalori, hailing from Borno State in the North-East, is taking over duties as stipulated by Section 14(2)(iii) of the APC Constitution, which mandates that the deputy chairman from the same geopolitical zone assumes acting leadership in the event of a vacancy 

Smooth Transition Amid Speculation

His appointment follows Ganduje’s surprise resignation, officially attributed to health concerns but widely suspected to have political undertones 

 Party staff were caught off-guard as Ganduje’s personal belongings were quietly removed from the National Secretariat .

Expected Interim Leadership

Dalori’s return to Abuja signals the start of an interim phase as the APC gears up for internal elections. Among top contenders for the permanent chairmanship is Senator Tanko Al-Makura, a former governor of Nasarawa State.

Strategic Implications

• Regional balance: With President Bola Tinubu from the South-West and VP Shettima from the North-East, handing the chairmanship first to the North-East maintains a cross-zonal mix while broader power-sharing is redrawn .

• Political calculus: Ganduje’s departure—and Dalori’s interim role—coincide with internal jockeying ahead of 2027 primaries, especially amid discussions around vice-presidential zoning 

What Comes Next

• Acting period: Dalori is expected to attend to day-to-day party matters and maintain stability.

• NEC meeting: APC’s National Executive Committee will soon convene to appoint an acting chair or announce a timeline for a mini-convention.

• Permanent election: A full national convention is anticipated later this year to formally elect a substantive chairman.

Outlook

Dalori’s ascendancy offers a window for party unity and strategic recalibration as APC confronts internal factionalization and electoral challenges. His next steps could help define the party’s cohesion and readiness ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

NewsHouz will provide real-time updates as the APC's transition progresses.