By Osaigbovo Okungbowa, Senior Political Correspondent
ABUJA, Nigeria — In a stunning turn of events, demonstrators invaded the All Progressives Congress (APC) national secretariat in Abuja, demanding the immediate resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the party’s national chairman.
Concerned North Central APC Stakeholders was the group that led the protesters as they expressed their displeasure with Ganduje’s purported suspension by a section of his ward executives and the accusations of bribery made against him by the Kano State administration.
Protesters demanded that President Bola Tinubu and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume step in, amid chanting and placards demanding Ganduje’s resignation and the return of APC leadership to the North Central area.
The Backstory:
The agitation comes in the wake of conflicting stances within the APC regarding Ganduje’s leadership. While the Forum of APC State Chairmen expressed solidarity with Ganduje and reaffirmed their support for him, the Concerned North Central APC Stakeholders took a divergent stance, citing the violation of zoning principles within the party.
Mohammed Mahmud Saba, the leader of the protesters, highlighted the discontent among North Central stakeholders, emphasizing their sense of betrayal following the alleged hijacking of the national chairman position from their region.
Zoning Controversy:
Central to the protesters’ demands is the perceived disregard for zoning arrangements within the APC. The demonstrators argued that Ganduje’s ascension to the national chairmanship position contradicted the zoning process outlined in the party’s constitution.
They stressed that the North Central region, having contributed significantly to President Tinubu’s electoral success, deserved representation at the party’s apex. The protesters called for Ganduje’s immediate resignation to uphold the integrity of the zoning system and ensure equitable distribution of leadership positions.
Call for Action:
In a passionate plea, Saba urged the APC leadership to heed the voices of North Central stakeholders and address their grievances promptly. He reiterated the demand for Ganduje’s resignation, emphasizing the need for adherence to established party protocols.
Additionally, Saba called upon governors from the North Central region to mobilize their constituents against what they perceived as impunity within the party ranks. The protesters urged the National Executive Committee (NEC) and other party organs to uphold the zoning arrangements set forth by the National Convention in 2022.
Response from Ganduje and APC Leadership:
Even as the calls for his resignation become louder, Ganduje has not yet responded to the demonstrators’ demands in writing. Meanwhile, the APC leadership is facing a difficult decision as it deals with criticism from both the outside and the inside.
Party unity is seriously threatened by the dissident voices from the North Central area, even if the Forum of APC State Chairmen reiterated their support for Ganduje. In its attempt to manage the developing crisis, the APC is facing a critical juncture as tensions rise and calls for action become more strident.
The APC chairmanship issue that is currently erupting serves as a stark reminder of the difficulties in party politics and the inherent conflicts that arise when leaders change. Protesters’ demands are reverberating throughout the political landscape as they concentrate on the national secretariat, indicating a growing schism within the APC.
Though the resolution of this impasse is yet unknown, one thing is certain: as the party struggles to maintain internal coherence while juggling conflicting interests, Abdullahi Ganduje’s future is in jeopardy.
