As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prepares for a series of bye-elections and court-ordered reruns scheduled for August 16, 2025, political momentum is building particularly within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). With 16 constituencies across 12 states heading to the polls, including sensitive zones in Kano, Plateau, Edo, and Anambra, the upcoming vote is shaping into a midterm litmus test for party strength and leadership credibility.
Amid this shifting landscape, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, National Chairman of the APC, has reemerged at the center of national strategy. His recent attendance at INEC’s quarterly consultative meeting with political parties stood out not just for its symbolism, but also for its sharp contrast. While the APC was fully represented, key opposition parties like the PDP and Labour Party were absent, reflecting the internal crises currently plaguing both.
Ganduje’s appearance alongside INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu where the two were seen exchanging handshakes and policy remarks sent a clear message of political preparedness. It wasn’t just a courtesy call, but a calculated reaffirmation that the APC is organized, focused, and ready to engage the electoral process head-on.
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Having governed Kano State for two terms, Ganduje is widely regarded as a grassroots tactician with deep influence across Northern Nigeria. His leadership style, marked by firm control and loyalty-building, is now being scaled to the national level. Many within the APC view the upcoming reruns as a proving ground for his ability to deliver electoral victories beyond his traditional stronghold.
INEC’s announcement of August 16 as the date for the reruns triggered immediate mobilization within the ruling party. According to party insiders, Ganduje has already begun internal consultations with zonal coordinators, youth mobilizers, and campaign teams. The objective is clear: defend existing seats and reclaim those lost due to judicial verdicts or resignations. In key battlegrounds such as Ghari/Tsanyawa in Kano and Enugu South I in Enugu, the reruns are likely to favor the APC, as the party’s political machinery and grassroots support are already in place.
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While the APC presses forward, the opposition’s internal disarray only enhances the ruling party’s advantage. The PDP is mired in a multi-layered leadership dispute, with ongoing confusion surrounding the rightful occupant of the National Secretary position. Similarly, the Labour Party continues to grapple with legal battles over its national leadership, casting doubt on its ability to field unified candidates or run coordinated campaigns.
For Ganduje, the moment also presents an opportunity to restore public confidence in the APC’s direction. Since assuming the chairmanship, he has been working quietly to stabilize intra-party relationships and streamline decision-making ahead of crucial elections. His recent messaging has emphasized discipline, structure, and long-term vision, principles many believe are essential for consolidating power ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Beyond short-term electoral gains, Dr. Ganduje’s focus appears to be on legacy-building. By successfully guiding the APC through the August reruns, he would not only validate his capacity as a national leader but also set the tone for the party’s dominance in the years ahead. With President Tinubu’s administration facing scrutiny over economic reforms, security, and youth engagement, Ganduje’s role in maintaining party stability is becoming increasingly consequential.
In the end, that handshake with INEC was more than symbolic, it marked the quiet beginning of a political offensive, one in which strategy, timing, and organization could define the trajectory of the APC in an increasingly complex political climate.
Umar Idris Shuaibu is a digital journalist writes from Kano.
