Against Expectations, Ganduje  Gets Extension As APC Chair, Minister Applauds

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Minister of State ,Housing and Urban Development, Hon Abdullahi Ata, on Wednesday February 26,2025 , lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National caucus for extending the tenure of the National Chairman Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to 2026.

The Source reports that the APC, at its National Caucus meeting, held at the Presidential Villa, on Tuesday ,February 25, passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of Ganduje as the National Chairman.

Dr Ganduje,  the immediate past Governor of Kano State, had mounted the saddle in 2023 after the unceremonious exit of erstwhile National chairman and former Governor of Nasarawa state Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

The endorsement of Ganduje’s tenure till 2026 waa one of the highpoints of the first APC National Caucus meeting in more than one year.

In a statement issued on  Wednesday by Seyi Olorunsola, the Minister’s Media aide noted that Dr Ganduje’s leadership has   brought about remarkable unity and successes  for the party.

“The Hon Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development, congratulates, APC  National  Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on the extension of his tenure as the National Chairman Chairman of the APC till 2026.

“This decision, ratified during the National Working Committee, NWC, meeting held on February 25, 2025, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, and presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reflects the party’s unwavering confidence in Dr Ganduje’s leadership .

“Since assuming the role of National Chairman on August 3,2023, Dr Ganduje has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, steering the APC to remarkable successes in various elections.

“Under his guidance ,the party has recorded significant victories in off-cycle Governorship elections ,notably in Imo ,Kogi,Edo and Ondo states.

“These electoral successes underscore the strategic sense of direction, and unity that he has instilled among party faithful.

“In Edo State, the APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, secured a decisive victory in the September 21,2024 Governorship election.

“Similarly in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s election in November, 2024 further cemented APC’s dominance in the South West region of the country.

“The Party’s success stories extended to Kogi state with Usman Ododo emerging victorious at the November 2023 Governorship polls.

“In Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodinma was re-elected for a second term .These electoral feats reinforce the APC’s commitment to delivering good governance and the electorate’s trust in the party’s vision for sustainable development”, Ata stated.

The Minister who recently steered up controversies with his alleged threat to quit APC should the tenure of  Abdullahi Abbas ,the Kano state Chairman be renewed, attributed the modest achievements of  Dr Ganduje to his vast political experiences.

He expressed the optimism that Dr Ganduje will bring his excellent political trajectory to move APC to the next level.

Before Wednesday’s endorsement, speculations had been rife that Dr Ganduje was to be supplanted as the National Chairman owing to his recent appointment as the Board Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN.