Politics
APC Chairmanship: Al-Makura or Sen. Musa as zoning favours North-Central
By Aminu Garko
In a surprise move on Friday, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje stepped down from his exalted position citing health reasons.
But observers of developments within the party say it goes beyond that
APC party emerged from the merger of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in addition to some members of the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who preferred to call themselves New PDP.
It swept to power at the Federal level in 2015 led by Muhammadu Buhari who was not only elected president but also became a symbol of the party because of his tough stance on integrity and anti-corruption.
Ganduje, a former governor of north-western Kano State, emerged the national chairman under controversial circumstances following the sack of Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu a former governor of Nasarawa State in the north-central part of the country.
In spite of the controversy surrounding his emergence as the national chairman on August 3, 2023, Ganduje galvanized the party and healed the 2023 post-presidential election wounds.
For a party built on integrity and fair play, north-central members of APC had consistently seen the emergence of Ganduje as usurpation of their prime space within the APC hierarchy.
Their push for the restoration of that position has been hard. The odds favour north-central this time around.
Zoning Consensus Favors North-Central
Political analysts say Ganduje’s resignation, long speculated and now confirmed, is seen as part of a broader realignments within the APC leadership, as the party prepares for internal reforms and begins early groundwork for the 2027 general elections.
They say ahead of the general elections APC may benefit from his sportsmanship display in two key areas.
One is winning back the disgruntled north-central bloc which had hitherto felt short-changed as well as having some implications for the much speculated decamping into the party of Musa Kwankwaso, the strong man of Kano politics.
This sudden resignation has set off a fresh wave of political consultations and pamultations, among some leading political actors in the north-central zone with Sen. Tanko Al-Makura and Sen. Mohammed Musa—as possible successors to Ganduje.
While Al-Makura is from Nasarawa, same state as Adamu, Ganduje’s predecessor and also a former governor like the duo, Musa is from Niger, his state has not tested the position.
As the APC looks to maintain internal balance, sticking to its zoning formula has emerged as a key determinant in the succession process.
With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the South-West and Senate President Godswill Akpabio from the South-South, party leaders have resolved that the national chairmanship should remain in the North-Central geopolitical zone.
This has placed Al-Makura and Musa in pole position because of the widely recognised influence and respect they command within the party.
Al-Makura: APC Loyalist, Political Stabiliser
A founding member of the APC and former governor of Nasarawa State, Al-Makura is regarded as a party loyalist with a calm and deliberate leadership style.
He was a key player in the CPC bloc during the 2013 merger that birthed the APC and is widely viewed as a bridge between the party’s legacy factions.
“Al-Makura is steady, grounded, and understands the dynamics of the party. He is a unifying figure at a time when the APC needs stability more than anything,” said Alhaji Idris Mohammed, a chieftain of the party.
He said Al-Makura’s leadership skills had been tested in Nasarawa where he performed creditably as governor.
Sen.Musa: Reluctant Reformer
Meanwhile, Musa, who represents Niger East in the Senate, is said to be under pressure to throw his hat into the ring.
His good performance as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and excellent working relationship with the party leadership, including the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio is said to be an added advantage for him.
He is said to be a reformer with strong technocratic credentials. His age, innovative and administrative style make him a popular choice among the party’s younger members and progressive wing.
However, Sani Musa is said to be reluctant to accept the chairmanship, preferring to focus on his work in the Senate.
Nevertheless, pressure is said to be mounting from powerful party loyalists who believe his leadership could inject new energy and credibility into the APC.
“His hesitation is understandable—he’s focused on major legislative reforms. But there is growing consensus that the party needs someone with his profile to reposition itself for the future,” said Umaru Kolo, an APC chieftain.
There may also be the incumbency factor for Ali Dalori, who tentatively replaced Ganduje, but analysts say his chances are slim given the need to respect the zoning arrangement professed by the party.
Dalori is from Borno, same state as the incumbent vice-president, Kashim Shettima.
NEC Meeting Expected Soon
An emergency meeting of the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) is expected in the coming days, where an interim arrangement may be announced before a substantive chairman is either ratified or elected at a national convention.
Party insiders say consultations are ongoing and may yield a consensus candidate to avoid divisive contests.
As the APC navigates yet another leadership transition, all eyes remain on the north-central zone—home to both front-runners—and how the ruling party manages its next phase amid rising political expectations and internal recalibrations will be key to its future electoral fortunes.
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The Katsina State Commissioner for Environment, Hamza Sule-Faskari, has resigned to contest for the Funtua Senatorial seat.
The decision was in compliance with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for public office holders intending to contest in the 2027 elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the electoral body has directed all public office holders intending to contest to resign their positions on or before March 31, 2026.
Sule-Faskari announced his decision on Monday in Katsina when he visited the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abdullahi Garba-Faskari, to formally submit his resignation letter.
He expressed appreciation to the Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda, for the opportunity to serve the people as a commissioner.
The former commissioner also reaffirmed his commitment to remain loyal and continue supporting the governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Sule-Faskari further thanked the people of Katsina State for the support and cooperation they have given him during his tenure as commissioner.
NAN
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The concerned stakeholders and committed members of All Progressives Congress, APC in Demsa, Numan and Lamurde Local Government Areas of Adamawa have warned against factional politics for the unity and progress of the party in the state.
The stakeholders made the call during a joint press conference in Numan, led by Mr Paul Zidon, describing the recent defection of Gov Ahmadu Fintiri and his teaming supporters through due process to APC as welcome development.
He equally condemned the process followed by Hon. Kwamoti Laori, Member House of Representative for violating the due process.
According to him, Laori sidelined the duly recognized Local Government Executive Committee that represents the backbone of the party but selected three wards executive members each from Demsa, Numan and Lamurde to work with.
“This singular action is unacceptable. It undermines party structures, disrespects loyal members, and risks introducing dangerous factional politics into a party that our people have worked tirelessly to build.
“Let us be clear: APC in Numan, Demsa, and Lamurde is not a private political project belonging to a few individuals. It is a collective movement belonging to the people.
“Any attempt to bypass party structures, ignore elected executives, and create parallel political arrangements will only breed division and disunity.
“And we say today with one voice: “We reject factional politics. We stand for unity. We stand for party supremacy”, he said.
According to him, the strength of the APC lies not in individuals, but in the collective will of its members.
Zidon called on all party faithful to remain calm, united, and committed to the principles that brought them together-the shared vision of building a stronger Adamawa State and a better Nigeria under the APC.
The group appreciated the National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu and other stakeholders for his sacrifice and effort put in stabilizing the party and ensuring the realignment with defectors in the state.
“We wish to also use this opportunity to sincerely appreciate the visionary leadership of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope Agenda continues to inspire millions of Nigerians and strengthen the foundation of the APC across the country” he said.
Mr Simon Ismael one of the stakeholder described the act as violation of the constitutional provision and urged the party to section ward executive that partake in violation of the due process.
All efforts to reach Laori to comment on the allegation label against him probe abortive.
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The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, has distributed 13 buses to tertiary institutions in Kano State to enhance teaching, learning and institutional mobility.
The buses were presented to selected universities, colleges of education, polytechnics and secondary institutions to ease transportation challenges faced by staff and students during academic, administrative and extracurricular activities.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Bichi said the intervention was aimed at supporting educational institutions to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.
According to him, education remains the bedrock of development and requires sustained support to thrive.
“Providing these buses is our modest contribution towards creating an enabling environment for learning and academic excellence in Kano State,” he said.
Bichi, who represents Bichi Federal Constituency, noted that the initiative aligned with his commitment to attracting meaningful interventions to the education sector through his legislative responsibilities.
“As Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I consider it a duty to ensure that institutions in Kano State benefit from opportunities that enhance their capacity,” he added.
Details of the distribution showed that Bayero University, Kano; Northwest University, Kano; and Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, each received two buses, while the Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi, also received two buses.
Other beneficiaries include Yusuf Maitama Sule University of Education, Kano; Kano State Polytechnic; Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education; Ibrahim Ayagi Science Secondary School, Dawakin Tofa; and Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies, which each received one bus.
Representatives of the beneficiary institutions expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as timely and impactful.
One of the officials said the buses would significantly reduce transportation challenges and support academic fieldwork, student movement and official engagements.
Stakeholders described the distribution as a demonstration of the dividends of democracy and called for sustained collaboration between lawmakers and educational institutions to further strengthen education in Kano State.
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