It has sparked discussions on how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s choice of Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Board may affect his standing as the party’s leader.
In addition to a number of members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), Ganduje, a former Kano State governor, was included in a list of 42 people appointed to government boards and agencies. Although some consider this dual function to be a standard administrative choice, others speculate that it might be a precursor to more extensive party reform.
Ganduje’s new post is seen as a chance for the North Central zone, which has been advocating for the APC chairperson since Senator Abdullahi Adamu resigned, to regain the position.
On the basis of past zoning agreements, stakeholders contend that the chairmanship ought to return to the country.
“We are edging closer to 2027.” Reversing the chairmanship to the North Central is the correct thing for Mr. President to do, a district party source stated.
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“The President must correct this imbalance by restoring the chairmanship to the North Central,” reiterated Sale Zazzaga, the leader of the North Central APC Forum.
A complaint has also been launched by the forum against Ganduje, claiming that his appointment violates zoning agreements prior to the 2023 election.
Reputable APC sources claim that, in spite of these rumors, Ganduje’s appointment—like that of other members of the National Working Committee (NWC)—has nothing to do with his responsibilities as the party’s chairman.
Political observers speculate that Ganduje’s appointment might be a component of a broader plan to get ready for a leadership change before the elections in 2027.
“These appointments may be soft landings for Ganduje and other NWC members before their possible departure,” said APC chieftain Chief Jackson Lekan Ojo.
To create a new leadership structure, he added, the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) may decide to disband the NWC at its subsequent meeting.
The APC has denied, meanwhile, that Ganduje’s chairmanship is compromised by his new position.
The accusations are baseless, according to APC National Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim.
Ibrahim claimed that Ganduje’s responsibilities as national chairman will not be affected by this position.
He dismissed the speculations as baseless, accusing critics of attempting to undermine Ganduje’s relevance. “Every day, they come up with permutations that do not materialise,” he said.
He further emphasised that the North Central’s complaints about zoning lacked merit, pointing out that the region now holds the position of National Legal Adviser, occupied by Prof. Kana.
The “Critics should ask themselves if the legal adviser will also be sacked,” Ibrahim remarked