In a dramatic turn of events, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has tendered his resignation ahead of an imminent defection of former Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso to the ruling party, The Peoples Gazette can report.

While the circumstances surrounding Mr Ganduje’s unexpected resignation have not been made public, his spokesperson confirmed the politician’s resignation to The Gazette on Friday. 

A spokesperson for Mr Kwankwaso told The Gazette that the former governor of Kano was on his way to the ruling APC.

Contrary to reports that Mr Ganduje left his position due to health reasons, a source in the presidency also told The Gazette the erstwhile governor was forced out of the party amid ongoing calculations by President Bola Tinubu to secure victory in the 2027 presidential election.

“They had to let Ganduje go because he didn’t have the same political clout as Mr Kwankwaso and the president needs Kano to ensure victory in 2027,” the source said on Friday.

Mr Ganduje’s resignation has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, raising suspicion about the ruling party’s leadership stability ahead of the 2027 poll. 

Mr Ganduje took over the national leadership of the ruling party in August 2023 following the controversial presidential election. The erstwhile governor was tasked to ensure unity within the ranks of the party.

However, Mr Ganduje’s tenure was marred by allegations of mismanagement and internal factionalism, which might also contribute to his eventual resignation.

Mr Ganduje was also seen as a villain for his role in the crisis that nearly engulfed the party earlier this month, when he said Mr Tinubu would be the party’s candidate in 2027 while deliberately declining to mention Mr Shettima would be the running mate. 

The conduct immediately drew a wedge between Messrs Shettima and Ganduje, with party sources telling The Gazette it also contributed to the former Kano governor’s ouster as the ruling party chairman.