By Spear News
The sudden resignation of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has opened up a crucial leadership vacuum in Nigeria’s ruling party, sparking intense speculation about his possible successors.
Ganduje, a former governor of Kano State who had held the position since 2023, officially cited health reasons for his departure, but political observers note that the move was likely influenced by broader strategic calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections. His exit, coming just two years into his tenure, follows a pattern in the APC where party chairmen often leave under circumstances shaped by internal dynamics.
With Ganduje’s resignation now confirmed, attention has swiftly turned to who might take over the helm of Africa’s largest political party at this critical juncture. The APC’s leadership structure suggests the position should naturally return to the North Central zone, following Ganduje’s tenure from the North West. This zoning principle, while not strictly codified, has become an important consideration in the party’s internal balancing act. Among the names being floated as potential successors, several stand out due to their political experience, regional influence, and connections to the presidency.
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Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.
Umaru Tanko Al-Makura is from Nasarawa State. He stands as a strong frontrunner. A founding member of the APC and former governor, Al-Makura played a pivotal role in the 2013 merger that created the party from the legacy parties. His tenure as governor demonstrated administrative competence, and his longstanding relationship with President Bola Tinubu positions him as a safe pair of hands who could maintain stability. He served as National Youth Leader of the defunct National Party of Nigeria in the late 1970s to early 1980s. He was also a member of the Constituent Assembly in 1988 constituted by General Ibrahim Babangida to draft and deliberate on a new Constitution for the country for the transition from military to civil rule in 1990. Makura understands both party politics and federal governance, making him a compelling choice to create more cohesion in the APC.
Al-Makura was a member of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which merged its structure with other political parties such as the ACN, ANPP, a faction of APGA, and a few others to form the current party, the APC. The CPC faction within the APC has remained loyal to former President Muhammadu Buhari. Recently, Al-Makura led a group of the defunct CPC stalwarts to reaffirm their allegiance to the APC and President Tinubu when a rebellious group led by former AGF Malami opposed Tinubu.
George Akume
Another prominent contender is Senator George Akume, the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The Benue State politician brings immense experience to the table, having served two terms as governor before moving to the Senate and later assuming his current role as SGF. Akume’s advantage lies in his close association with Tinubu dating back to their parallel tenures as governors in the early 2000s, when both were part of the influential class of progressive governors. However, his current position as SGF – a critical role in the federal administration – might make the presidency reluctant to redeploy him, unless a suitable replacement is found.
Senator Mohammed Sani Musa
From Niger State comes Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, popularly known as “313,” who has been quietly building his profile within the party. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Musa has demonstrated technocratic competence, and his previous bid for the APC chairmanship shows his interest in the position. His relative youth compared to other contenders could work in his favor as the party looks to present a fresh face, though some may question whether he has the necessary political heft to manage the APC’s complex internal dynamics.
In the immediate term, the APC’s constitution provides for the Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Abubakar Kyari Dalori from Borno State, to assume the role in acting capacity. Dalori, a former senator and party loyalist, could emerge as a compromise candidate if the party decides to maintain continuity rather than opt for a dramatic shake-up. His interim leadership would provide breathing space for broader consultations ahead of the party’s next convention.
Beyond the North Central zone, some dark horse candidates could enter consideration. Senator Abdulaziz Yari, the former governor of Zamfara State, commands significant influence in Northwest politics and has been cultivating relationships across party lines. While the chairmanship is expected to rotate to North Central, Yari’s strong network and experience as a two-term governor make him a potential wildcard, especially if the party seeks someone who can counterbalance opposition inroads in the Northwest.
The coming weeks will prove crucial as the APC’s National Working Committee and broader stakeholders deliberate on the way forward. An emergency National Executive Committee meeting is expected to formalize the transition process, where the party may either confirm an acting chairman or move swiftly to appoint a substantive replacement. The decision will need to balance regional representation, personal loyalty to the presidency, and electoral calculations as the 2027 polls loom.
What makes this leadership transition particularly significant is its timing. With general elections less than two years away, the new chairman will need to immediately grapple with several challenges: reconciling aggrieved factions, overseeing candidate selection processes, and crafting a campaign strategy to retain the presidency and legislative majorities. The choice of successor will send important signals about whether the APC intends to maintain its current trajectory or pursue a course correction.
Historical precedent suggests the party may prefer a consensus candidate who can avoid divisive internal contests. The APC has witnessed several contentious leadership changes since its formation, from the forced exits of John Odigie-Oyegun and Adams Oshiomhole to the caretaker arrangement under Mai Mala Buni. This time, with so much at stake politically, the party leadership will likely seek a smoother transition that doesn’t provide ammunition for opposition critics.
A former presidential aide, Chief Okoi Obona-Obla had urged the leadership of the APC to unite behind a true progressive from its founding blocs, citing marginalisation since 2013.
Obla in an exclusive chat with Spear News, called for reforms aligning with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, stressing the party must return to its nationalist roots under leadership from the 2022 convention’s consensus zone to regain public trust.
He said: “This is a golden opportunity. Many of us are deeply concerned about the way the APC has been run—particularly the sidelining and marginalization of some of the blocs and tendencies that came together in 2013 to form the party. Even individuals who sacrificed so much to sustain the opposition and pave the way for the emergence of a broad, truly national progressive party—with reach across the diverse mosaic that is Nigeria—have been overlooked.
“Now is the time to reflect and take bold steps. We must rally behind a true progressive—a nationalist, a founding father of the party from the geopolitical zone to which the position of National Chairman was conceded by consensus at the 2022 National Convention.
“Such a leader should be entrusted with the task of implementing fundamental reforms to rebuild the party’s integrity and once again make it attractive to the Nigerian people. The Party needs to be reformed to bring in tandem and alignment with the Renewed Hope policy thrust and agenda of the current administration.
As the political class awaits the APC’s next move, the qualities needed in Ganduje’s successor are clear: someone who can manage the party’s complex internal dynamics, maintain loyalty to the presidency while asserting the party’s independence, and most importantly, deliver electoral success in 2027. Whether the eventual choice will be a seasoned insider like Al-Makura, a trusted ally like Akume, or a surprise compromise candidate remains to be seen. What is certain is that this leadership decision will have far-reaching implications not just for the APC, but for Nigeria’s political landscape as the country prepares for another consequential election cycle.
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