Ganduje Not Leaving APC, Says Spokesperson Amid Speculation

The spokesperson for the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has dismissed reports suggesting that the former Kano State governor is planning to dump the ruling party. Speaking in an interview with Sunday Punch, Ganduje’s aide, Edwin Olofu, described the speculation as unfounded and politically motivated, stressing that his principal remains a loyal party man.

According to Olofu, Ganduje has no intention of abandoning the APC for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or any other political platform. He reaffirmed the former chairman’s commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” and the success of the party.

“Ganduje is a committed member of the APC who is not just a loyal party man but also loyal to the President and his Renewed Hope Agenda. So, ignore those saying he is planning to leave the APC,” Olofu said.

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Background to Ganduje’s Resignation

The clarification comes against the backdrop of Ganduje’s sudden resignation as APC National Chairman on June 27, 2025, citing health concerns. His exit, less than two years after assuming office on August 3, 2023, at an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, triggered speculation about his political future.

Ganduje, who became the sixth chairman of the party in just over a decade, succeeded Abdullahi Adamu. His tenure added him to the list of past chairmen that included Bisi Akande, John Odigie-Oyegun (now in ADC), Adams Oshiomhole, Mai Mala Buni, and Adamu himself.

With Odigie-Oyegun already in the ADC and growing internal divisions within the APC, rumours spread quickly that Ganduje might be preparing to take a similar path, potentially leading his loyalists into another party.

Clarification on Relationship with Tinubu

When pressed about whether Ganduje had held private discussions with President Tinubu after stepping down, Olofu declined to confirm or deny such meetings. He insisted that only Ganduje could speak directly on the matter but maintained that the former chairman was firmly aligned with the president’s leadership.

“Whatever the case, Ganduje remains fully committed to Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. His loyalty to the president is unwavering,” Olofu said.

This reassurance was aimed at quelling speculation that Ganduje’s resignation signaled friction within the APC leadership or a brewing defection plan.

Support for Successor

Olofu also addressed Ganduje’s recent visit to the APC’s current National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda. He clarified that the visit served dual purposes—personal and political.

“It was first a personal one and a condolence visit. I was also there with him. When you listen, you would have heard him even saying that he supports the new chairman because there is a bond between the predecessor and the successor,” Olofu explained.

He emphasized that Ganduje is not the type of politician who would withhold goodwill from his successor, adding that his principal offered assurances of full support to Yilwatda.

“Ganduje is not someone who will not wish whoever succeeds him well. He doesn’t belong to that school of thought. He told Yilwatda that he is going to lend him support whenever he needs it, and the man himself was very happy,” Olofu stated.

Speculations and Political Undertones

Political watchers note that Ganduje’s resignation had fueled significant speculation because of his long-standing influence in Kano politics and his role in the APC’s internal power play. His abrupt exit, coupled with the party’s history of leadership instability, created fertile ground for rumours of defection.

Observers also point to the defection of former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun to the ADC as part of the reason why speculation about Ganduje’s future gained traction. The idea that Ganduje could lead a new political front with his supporters appeared plausible to some, given Kano’s strategic importance in national politics.

However, Olofu’s remarks appear intended to put such talk to rest and present Ganduje as a statesman who remains firmly within the APC fold, committed to its success.

Looking Ahead

For now, Ganduje seems focused on playing a supportive role within the APC rather than spearheading a new political movement. His assurance to Yilwatda and his reaffirmed loyalty to Tinubu suggest he is positioning himself as a stabilizing elder statesman rather than a disruptive force.

Still, analysts caution that Nigerian politics is highly dynamic, and alliances can shift rapidly, particularly in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections. While Ganduje may not be planning a defection now, his political weight and grassroots influence in Kano will ensure he remains a central figure in APC politics for years to come.

For the moment, however, his spokesperson’s message is clear: Ganduje is not leaving the APC, and he remains firmly committed to its leadership and agenda.