When Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje was made the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on August 3, 2023, many believed it was a lifeline thrown to him after completing a controversial eight-year term as governor of Kano State, tainted by corruption allegations.
Now, nearly two years later, Mr. Ganduje has stepped down from the position. In his resignation letter, he cited health reasons. Whether or not that is the full story, his exit has stirred many questions about what lies ahead for him.
While at the helm of the APC, Mr. Ganduje oversaw significant political shifts. The party welcomed defectors in droves, including two serving governors—Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom—along with their deputies, cabinet members, and state lawmakers. Even Ifeanyi Okowa, former PDP governor and vice-presidential candidate, crossed over. The APC gained strength in both the Senate and the House of Representatives during his tenure.
Ganduje also led the party to electoral wins in Edo, Imo, Kogi, and Ondo states. He played a central role in calming internal tensions, especially in Ondo, where a major political feud threatened the party’s structure. He pushed for reforms like electronic membership registration and proposed a party institute to train members on internal democracy and public service.
Despite these efforts, he was far from free of controversy. Many within and outside the APC questioned the legitimacy of his appointment. The party’s North-Central bloc, from where the previous chairman hailed, resisted his selection. Eventually, a vote of confidence was passed in his favour, but the discontent lingered beneath the surface.
Then there were legal battles. Long before his time as party chair, Mr. Ganduje was caught on tape allegedly receiving bribes in dollars as governor. The video, published in 2017, haunted him throughout his career. He denied wrongdoing, claiming the footage was doctored. While federal anti-corruption bodies stayed silent, the Kano State Government actively pursued the case after he left office.
Mr. Ganduje fought off multiple legal threats using the courts. His role as APC chair may have shielded him from some political attacks, but with that protection now gone, things might change. Already, a court in Kano has assumed jurisdiction in a corruption case involving him, his wife, son, and several others. Their attempt to stop the case from proceeding failed.
Public reactions to his time in office were mixed. His aggressive recruitment of politicians into the APC drew criticism. The opposition, especially the PDP, accused the ruling party of attempting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. Mr. Ganduje dismissed such fears, saying that if Nigerians preferred one party, so be it.
At one point, he even wrote to the Senate demanding the removal of Ali Ndume as Chief Whip after Ndume criticised President Tinubu. He advised Ndume to resign from the APC if he was no longer comfortable.
But without the backing of the APC national chairmanship, Mr. Ganduje may now stand exposed. He still holds the position of Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), but it carries little political weight.
There is a growing belief that the Kano government may intensify efforts to prosecute him now that he is no longer at the top of the ruling party. Whether President Tinubu will continue to shield him remains uncertain.
What is clear is that Ganduje’s fate now hangs in the balance. With rising legal pressure and no key federal post to hide behind, his political future appears more vulnerable than ever.
Ado Barau Dambatta is the Chairman of the Kano Youth Patriotic Movement.
