Following the resignation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Umar Ganduje, on Friday, political leaders and party members across the North-Central region have renewed their push to reclaim the party’s top seat for their zone.
Ganduje’s exit has sparked immediate interest among states such as Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi, with political actors in these areas calling for the party’s national chairmanship to return to the region.
Although the APC leadership has not made a formal declaration on zoning, many within the party believe the North-Central should naturally take over the position, since it was previously allocated to them during earlier power-sharing arrangements.
Ganduje, who stepped in as APC chairman in August 2023 after Senator Abdullahi Adamu’s resignation, faced criticism at the time, particularly from North-Central party supporters who saw his appointment as an unfair shift away from their zone.
Adamu had come from Nasarawa State, which is in the North-Central region, and many believe the position should now return there.
The APC’s Deputy National Chairman (North), Bukar Dalori, has taken over in an acting capacity and is expected to serve until December. But tensions continue to build, especially in Benue State where rival factions within the party are making strong demands for zoning.
Daniel Ihomun, spokesperson for the faction led by Austin Agada and loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, noted, “The national chairmanship of APC was originally zoned to the North-Central… this will be done as soon as the President returns.”
Another Benue APC spokesman, James Orgunga, echoed the sentiment, saying the North-Central should be given the position based on the party’s past arrangements.
In Nasarawa State, the APC Forum has publicly endorsed former governor Tanko Al-Makura to replace Ganduje. In a statement issued in Abuja, Forum Chairman Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga said their decision came after careful consultation among stakeholders.
“After extensive deliberations among stakeholders in the North-Central region, the North-Central APC Forum has decided to endorse Senator Tanko Al-Makura for the position of APC National Chairman,” the group declared.
Kogi APC Chairman Abdullah Bello added his voice, stating that while he personally supports the idea of the position going to the North-Central, the final call rests with the President. “If the position is given to the North-Central, which is my zone, I will be happy but the decision… does not rest with me,” he said.
Kwara State APC Chairman, Sunday Fagbemi, also noted the issue should be left to the National Working Committee (NWC), saying they are capable of deciding what is best for the party.
Other leaders across the North-West zone, including Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara, have shown a more neutral stance. Kaduna APC Chairman, Air Commodore Emmanuel Jekada (retd.), explained that the final say belongs to party leadership. “I think the leader of the party decides. He is the one who knows where it will work for him,” he noted.
Sokoto’s APC Chairman Isa Achida, Kebbi party officials, and Zamfara APC spokesman Yusuf Idris all shared similar views. They said they would support whatever decision the party makes, even though they were disappointed by Ganduje’s resignation.
In Kano, party chieftain Alhaji Alhassan Yaryasa claimed Ganduje’s resignation helped him avoid political embarrassment. He alleged that plans were in place to ease Ganduje out to make room for possible new alliances in the lead-up to 2027. “We knew there was a plan to bring Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso into the APC… the decision taken by Ganduje to resign is the best option for him,” he said.
