Abuja

The resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on June 27, 2025, came as a surprise to many. What made it more striking was the fact that Ganduje stepped down at a time when the APC was gaining unprecedented momentum, consolidating strength, expanding its base, and winning key political battles across the country. Ganduje’s impact on the APC goes beyond internal reconciliation or party restructuring. He turned a once troubled platform into a strategic, results-driven machine ready for dominance in the 2027 general elections. When Ganduje assumed office as APC Chairman on August 3, 2023, the party was riddled with internal divisions and post-election cracks, especially following the fiercely contested 2023 general elections that brought in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In many states, APC structures were weak, disjointed, or even defunct. Related: Ganduje Bows Out with Legacy of Political Impact, Party Growth, and National Reach Ganduje brought a different energy. With the poise of a seasoned administrator and the grit of a political tactician, he immediately began repairing fractures across party lines. He led reconciliation efforts nationwide, calming aggrieved factions and uniting leaders under a renewed sense of purpose. In record time, the APC transformed from disarray to discipline. One of the most remarkable aspects of Ganduje’s tenure was the wave of high-profile defections that bolstered the APC’s ranks. Two sitting governors, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom crossed over to the ruling party along with their deputies and cabinet members, a move that significantly weakened the opposition. Perhaps the most symbolic political coup under his leadership was the defection of Ifeanyi Okowa, former Delta State Governor and PDP’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate. Okowa came with his full political structure, signaling that Ganduje’s leadership wasn’t just attractive, but convincing. Several other political heavyweights followed suit, including former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, Senator Ned Nwoko, and Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board. These weren’t mere defections; they were strategic wins. Read Also: Things to Know About Dr. Asiya Ganduje, Director of Community and Rural Development NWDC Back in his home state of Kano, Ganduje managed to sway several key figures from the ruling NNPP to the APC. These included Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, former House Speaker Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, former SSG Dr. Baffa Bichi, and federal lawmakers from Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya and Karaye/Rogo constituencies. His grassroots engagement reshaped the APC’s structure in the North. In Kebbi State, Ganduje’s influence was again on full display when three serving PDP senators Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki defected to the APC under his guidance. As party leader, Ganduje helped the APC secure victories in several key off-cycle elections. The party clinched governorship wins in Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa, Edo, and Ondo states where the opposition had long held sway. Edo State witnessed a political earthquake with mass defections from the PDP to the APC, including Speaker Blessing Agbebaku and several state lawmakers and senior party officials such as Roland Asoro, Nosa Nosayaba, and Gabriel Oloruntoba. His ability to attract not only individuals but entire political structures was further demonstrated by the defection of figures like Prof. Rufai Alkali, former NNPP chairman; Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi; Prof. Ben Angwe; Senator Ifeanyi Ubah from YPP; and Senator Uche Ekwunife. Beyond politics, Ganduje left a policy legacy. Under his chairmanship, the APC launched The Progressive Institute (TPI), a think tank and policy hub designed to support good governance, political education, and youth inclusion. For the first time, a political party in Nigeria institutionalized its ideological training arm. According to Ganduje, the purpose of TPI was “to enhance the policy capacity of the party and provide guidance to APC-led governments.” The initiative also focused on nurturing a new generation of leaders aligned with the party’s progressive ideology. Ganduje’s leadership has not only stabilized the APC but set it on a clear path to victory in 2027. By rebuilding internal cohesion, orchestrating strategic defections, and strengthening grassroots presence, he turned the APC into an electoral powerhouse. His resignation may mark the end of an era, but his legacy is firmly rooted in the political architecture of the APC. History will remember Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as the strategist who transformed a party in turmoil into a winning machine, one battle, one state, and one strategy at a time. Umar Idris Shuaibu is a Ganduje stalwart and writes from Kano. shuaibuumaridris@gmail.com

Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s journey through the highest ranks of political leadership from Governor of Kano State to National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has left an indelible imprint on Nigeria’s political landscape. As he voluntarily steps down from his position as APC Chairman, citing health considerations, reflections on his tenure reveal a legacy defined by influence, strategic consolidation, and unwavering loyalty. Appointed on August 3, 2023, Ganduje assumed leadership of the APC at a critical juncture. The party was in need of internal cohesion, grassroots consolidation, and a clear strategy heading into future elections. His tenure delivered just that ushering in visible political gains and stabilizing the ruling party across multiple fronts. Under his stewardship, the APC experienced robust expansion. High-profile defections significantly shifted the political balance. Notably, two sitting governors, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom joined the APC, alongside their deputies, cabinet members, and key state legislators. The defection of former vice-presidential candidate and PDP stalwart Ifeanyi Okowa added to the party’s rising strength in both the National Assembly and at the grassroots. Related: APC’s Rising Star: The Woman Ganduje Trusted with the Future In Kano, Ganduje’s political influence remained formidable. He attracted key figures back into the APC fold, including former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly and current federal lawmaker Kabiru Alhassan Rurum (Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya), Senator representing Kano South Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, and the former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Baffa Bichi. These moves further demonstrated his enduring grip on Kano’s political terrain. On the national front, Ganduje’s leadership was marked by strategic crisis management and far-reaching reforms. His diplomatic handling of internal crises especially in Ondo and Kogi States was instrumental in preserving party unity. His vision included modernizing the party structure through the introduction of electronic membership registration and laying the foundation for the APC Political Institute, The Progressive Institute (TPI). Read Also: Dr. Ganduje Undertakes Hajj Amid Rising Political Influence TPI recently convened a youth conference addressing the lingering issue of youth unemployment and exploring strategies to groom the next generation of party and national leaders. His commitment to party education and ideological grounding was a hallmark of his reform agenda. Importantly, Ganduje’s national strategy extended beyond numbers. He broadened APC’s reach through regional diplomacy and diaspora engagement. He paid official visits to ruling parties in neighbouring countries such as Ghana to foster political solidarity. During a visit to France a few months ago, he initiated structures aimed at strengthening the APC’s presence among Nigerians in the diaspora. This initiative was part of a long-term vision to align the global Nigerian community with the party’s agenda and mobilize international support. However, his emergence as APC Chairman was not without controversy. The North Central bloc where the position was originally zoned voiced its reservations. Despite this, Ganduje secured a vote of confidence and succeeded in unifying the party around his leadership. His ability to navigate those tensions underscored his political dexterity. Throughout his tenure, Ganduje demonstrated unwavering loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and the APC’s broader vision. He did not hesitate to defend the party’s image, even in contentious situations such as his public call for the removal of Senator Ali Ndume as Senate Chief Whip over perceived disloyalty. It was a bold affirmation of party discipline and allegiance to the presidency. Though he has now relinquished the role of APC chairman, Ganduje continues to serve the country as Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). While this role is more administrative than political, it maintains his presence within federal circles and signals his continued relevance in national affairs. As he steps into a new chapter, Ganduje leaves behind a record marked by coalition-building, electoral expansion, and structural reform. While ongoing legal proceedings, especially in Kano, may pose challenges to his legacy, his contributions to party politics and national development remain significant. Whether this moment signals a quiet retreat or a tactical pose, one thing is clear, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s legacy as a grassroots mobilizer, loyal party builder, and political tactician has already earned him a place in Nigeria’s contemporary political history. Umar Idris Shuaibu is a digital journalist and can be reached via shuaibuumaridris@gmail.com.