The recent appointment of All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, as Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Board by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sparked intense speculation over his continued leadership of the party.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Ganduje, a former governor of Kano State, was named alongside several APC National Working Committee (NWC) members in a list of 42 appointees to federal boards and agencies. The development has ignited debates over its implications for his position as the party’s leader.
While some view this dual role as a routine administrative decision, others suggest it could be a step toward broader restructuring within the party. The North Central zone, which has been lobbying for the APC chairmanship since Senator Abdullahi Adamu’s resignation, sees Ganduje’s new role as an opportunity to reclaim the position.
Stakeholders from the region argue that the chairmanship should return to the North Central, citing earlier zoning agreements. “We are gradually inching toward 2027. Mr. President must do the right thing by reversing the chairmanship to the North Central,” a party source from the region told Daily Trust.
Sale Zazzaga, leader of the North Central APC Forum, emphasized this demand, saying, “The President must correct this imbalance by restoring the chairmanship to the North Central.” The forum has also filed a lawsuit against Ganduje, alleging his appointment violates pre-2023 election zoning agreements.
However, credible sources within the APC assert that Ganduje’s appointment, like those of other NWC members, is unrelated to his duties as the party’s chairman. APC’s National Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, described the allegations as unfounded. “This appointment does not interfere with Ganduje’s duties as national chairman,” Ibrahim stated.
He dismissed the speculations as baseless, accusing critics of attempting to undermine Ganduje’s relevance. “Every day, they come up with permutations that do not materialise,” he said. Ibrahim also pointed out that the North Central region now holds the position of National Legal Adviser, occupied by Prof. Kana, rendering their complaints about zoning moot.
As the speculation continues to swirl, political analysts suggest Ganduje’s appointment may be part of a larger strategy to prepare for leadership restructuring ahead of the 2027 elections. Chief Jackson Lekan Ojo, an APC chieftain, opined, “These appointments could serve as soft landings for Ganduje and other NWC members ahead of their potential exit.”
The APC National Executive Committee (NEC) is expected to meet soon, fueling speculation that the NWC might be dissolved to pave the way for a new leadership structure. However, the party has maintained that Ganduje’s appointment does not affect his position as national chairman.