……appoints Ali Bukar Dalori as acting National Chairman
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori from Borno state as the acting National Chairman of the party following the resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, amidst political calculations.
There are insinuations that the Vice President, Kashim Shettima is facing being dropped by President Bola Tinubu for a second term; a rumours that has been dismissed by the Presidency.
Shettima is also from Borno state.
Dalori, who currently serves as the Deputy National Chairman (North), was directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assume the leadership role in an acting capacity pending the meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which is being convened immediately to fill the vacancy.
The announcement was contained in an official statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Friday in Abuja.
According to the statement, Ganduje tendered his resignation with immediate effect in order to attend to “urgent and important personal matters.”
Dalori’s appointment comes nearly two years after Ganduje was appointed National Chairman in August 2023, succeeding Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
During his tenure, Ganduje was praised for promoting party cohesion, driving electoral strength, and overseeing key defections into the party.
With Dalori now at the helm, the APC said it remains “steadfast and unwavering” in delivering President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and sustaining internal unity.
The party expressed gratitude to Ganduje for his “invaluable contributions and distinguished record of service” and extended well wishes for his future endeavours.
Profile of Incoming Acting APC National Chairman
Dr. Ali Bukar Dalori was born on June 16, 1962, in Dalori town, Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State. He ventured into the automobile industry, establishing himself as a prominent car dealer in northern Nigeria.
His political journey began in 1991, when he was elected Councillor for Dalori Ward in Konduga Local Government Area. By 1992, he had risen to become the Chairman of Konduga Local Government, securing victory under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the Babangida transition programme. In 2012 during the administration of Kashim Shettima as Governor, Dalori was elected Member of the Borno State House of Assembly under the platform of ANPP.
He would later become the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State. His leadership style earned him recognition at the national level, and he was appointed Chairman of APC State Party Chairmen in Nigeria, a position he held for three consecutive terms spanning nine years.
In August 2023, Dalori’s influence further expanded when he was appointed Deputy National Chairman (North) of the APC, a position he’s holding up till date.
Why APC National Chairman Ganduje resigned
Details have emerged on why the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, may have resigned from his position on Friday.
Saturday PUNCH reliably gathered that Ganduje quit his position over the reported move by former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to join the APC.
As early as 3pm on Friday, insiders at the national secretariat of the party informed our correspondent that the ex-national leader was threatening to resign over an agreement between President Bola Tinubu and Kwankwaso for the latter to join the party.
According to an insider, all the principal officers of the party, including the National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, had tried to prevail on him not to resign.
“We are currently pleading with him (Ganduje) not to resign. He is upset that Kwankwaso is coming to the APC. I think the two of them are sworn enemies. All the stakeholders are begging him to stay,” the source said.
However, around 4.15pm, the source informed one of our correspondents that Ganduje had resigned.
“He has eventually resigned. We couldn’t stop him. I think there is something personal between him and Kwankwaso, who is ready to join the APC after some discussions with the President,” the source added.
When asked to confirm if there was a crisis at the APC secretariat, a worker, said, “There is no crisis, just that the chairman has resigned and people gathered at the secretariat to discuss about it.”
Political rivals
Both Ganduje and Kwankwaso are former governors of Kano and were once political allies during their days in the Peoples Democratic Party.
Kwankwaso served as governor from 1999 to 2003 and again from 2011 to 2015, with Ganduje as his deputy during the second term.
However, their relationship deteriorated shortly after Ganduje succeeded Kwankwaso as governor in 2015 under the APC.
Since then, the two have become political rivals, frequently clashing over control of Kano’s political structure and influence.
Ganduje deposed the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, who was installed by and believed to be loyal to Kwankwaso.
But Sanusi was reinstated on May 23, 2024, by Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, under Kwankwaso’s leadership.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that Ganduje, who was elected APC National Chairman in August 2023, cited health grounds as the reason for his decision to quit the party.
When contacted to confirm Kwankwaso’s move to join the APC, one of his closest allies, Buba Galadima, said he was not aware of such a plan.
He, however, said he was privy to a meeting involving some APC stakeholders and the presidency to “sacrifice Ganduje and the Vice President, Kashim Shettima.”
Galadima said, “I am not aware of the defection plan. However, I know Kwankwaso and Ganduje have personal issues. I am equally aware that there was a meeting of APC stakeholders and the presidency three days ago where they agreed that Ganduje and Shettima should be sacrificed to bring a new set of people into government and the party.”
Similarly, the spokesperson for the NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, declined to comment.
“I am not aware of such a move, and I can’t speak further on it for now,” he stated.
In a post on his X handle, one of Ganduje’s aides, Salihu Yakasai, operating @Dawakiii account, wrote in all cap, “TINUBU WHY, APC WHY,” with three cry emojis.
A former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, also confirmed that Ganduje had resigned.
Ahmad, on his verified Facebook page, wrote, “The National Chairman of our great party, the All Progressives Congress(APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has resigned from his position, effective immediately, as confirmed by multiple sources.”
When Saturday PUNCH visited the APC National Headquarters in Abuja, several party supporters were seen gathered in clusters, discussing the development and awaiting official confirmation from the NWC.
