By Umar Idris Shuaibu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday received former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and former Minister of Defence, Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar, in separate meetings at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Both visits were held behind closed doors at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, with neither of the political figures disclosing the purpose of their engagements with the President.
Correspondents observed Dr. Ganduje, dressed in babanriga, departing the State House at about 4:15 p.m., while Badaru left roughly 15 minutes later at 4:30 p.m., suggesting that the meetings were separate consultations rather than a joint audience.
Ganduje served as APC National Chairman from August 2023 until July 2025, when he stepped down from the position. He was subsequently succeeded by Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, who was elected as substantive chairman during the party’s 4th Elective National Convention held on March 27, 2026, at Eagle Square, Abuja.
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Prior to his emergence as party chairman, Ganduje served as Governor of Kano State between 2015 and 2023.
Badaru, on the other hand, is a former Governor of Jigawa State (2015–2023) and recently resigned from his role as Minister of Defence in Tinubu’s administration.
Political observers believe the separate meetings may not be unconnected with ongoing consultations within the APC following its recent national convention, as well as possible strategic alignments ahead of future political engagements.
Both Ganduje and Badaru remain influential figures within the ruling party and are regarded as key allies of President Tinubu since the formation of the APC in 2013.