Ganduje Under Fire! CPC Bloc And N/Central Push For APC Leadership Takeover

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) faction within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a campaign to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of former National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Ganduje tendered his unexpected resignation last Friday through a letter submitted to the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, citing health reasons. The development was officially confirmed on Saturday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka.

However, insiders suggest that Ganduje’s exit may be linked to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s finalized plans to welcome former Kano governor and long-time Ganduje rival, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, into the APC.

Sources within the CPC faction told Daily Trust that they are now actively demanding the chairmanship position, citing the need for fairness and equity. In line with this, the North Central APC Forum on Sunday endorsed Senator Tanko Al-Makura, former governor of Nasarawa State and the only CPC governor from 2011 to 2019, as Ganduje’s potential successor.

A statement by the forum’s chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, noted that the endorsement followed broad consultations across stakeholders in the region. According to the group, Al-Makura is a loyal party man who, during the 2022 APC National Convention, willingly stepped aside for the consensus candidate, Adamu.

They argue that Al-Makura has the required loyalty, experience, and political clout to lead the party effectively. He has previously managed crucial assignments within the APC, giving him strong insight into the party’s inner workings.

Abdullahi Jalo, a notable APC figure from the North East, also voiced support for the CPC and North Central push, describing the demand as “real and legitimate.” He added that Al-Makura had long been considered the ideal successor to Ganduje.

Similarly, Chekwas Okorie, a former presidential candidate, backed the North Central zone, pointing out that the region has felt sidelined since Ganduje replaced Adamu. “The region felt alienated when Ganduje assumed office. Returning the chairmanship there is the fair thing to do,” he said.

Meanwhile, former CPC lawmakers from the 7th National Assembly convened in Abuja, urging President Tinubu to address what they called the continued marginalisation of the CPC faction in the APC’s leadership structure.

At the press briefing, former House of Representatives member Aliyu Gebi decried the exclusion, stating, “We cannot pretend marginalisation doesn’t exist. We were thrown out of a vehicle we helped build.”

Other attendees included Senator Ibrahim Musa, Hon. Sanusi Aliyu, Hon. Mohammed Tukur, Senator Ahmed Sani, Hon. Ibrahim Chachangi, Hon. Yusuf Bala, and APC National Vice Chairman (North West) Hon. Garuba Datti.

Historically, since APC’s formation, the position of national chairman has been held by figures from other legacy parties — Chief Bisi Akande (ACN), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun (ANPP), Adams Oshiomhole (ACN), Mai Mala Buni (APC caretaker), Senator Abdullahi Adamu (PDP), and most recently, Abdullahi Ganduje (PDP). Notably, the CPC remains the only bloc among the merger parties yet to produce a substantive APC national chairman.