Ganduje, Al-Makura, Ebute line up for Adamu’s replacement as APC Chair

A major task before the All Progressives Congress, APC, is who replaces Abdullahi Adamu as the party’s National Chairman.

A few days ago, Adamu and Iyiola Omisore, APC’s National Secretary, resigned from their positions without explaining the reasons for their action.

Their resignation was confirmed by the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, which appointed its Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Abubakar Kyari, as interim Chairman.

While in office, Adamu is believed to have endured a frosty relationship with President Bola Tinubu, a situation which became more visible when Adamu disowned the list of Principal Officers named in the National Assembly.

But the Progressive Governors Forum endorsed the new officers.

The party’s former National Chairman had stressed that APC’s NWC was unaware of the list transmitted to the Senate and House of Representatives.

“I am just hearing it as a rumour from the online media that there have been some announcements in the Senate and House of Representatives.

“The national headquarters of the party, the NWC, has not given any such information or communicated about the choice of offices,” Adamu said about the list.

Amid the misunderstanding, APC has maintained that there is no crisis within the ruling party.

There are feelers that President Bola Tinubu has sealed a deal with governors of the party to settle for the former governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje as Adamu’s replacement.

With the curtain already drawn on Adamu as APC National Chairman, some names have emerged as possible successors.

Tanko Al-Makura

A former Nasarawa South Senator, Tanko Al-Makura has been tipped by some stakeholders as the best person to replace Adamu.

Al-Makura, who is a former governor of Nasarawa State, has been described as a man with the relevant qualities to head the APC.

A Forum of State Chairmen of Defunct Congress for Progressives Change, CPC, described the former governor as a unifier and bridge builder.

They said that Al-Makura’s emergence would promote cohesion within the party.

Endorsing Al-Makura for the role of the APC National Chairman, the group said: “The Forum for State Chairmen of the Defunct CPC is of the considered opinion that Al-Makura is the best hand for the vacant seat.

“This is sequel to the recent resignation of the immediate past National Chairman of the APC and the need to search for a capable, experienced and reliable personality to occupy the seat.”

According to them, Al-Makura has, over the years, exemplified remarkable leadership roles needed to lead the governing party.

Ameh Ebute

He is the sixth President of the Nigerian Senate during the third Republic who hails from the North Central area of Nigeria.

In July 2023, Ebute had declared his interest to become APC’s National Chairman following Adamu’s resignation.

Ebute said he is ready to sacrifice himself as he did alongside President Bola Tinubu during the heydays of the military for APC to move forward.

Simon Lalong

The former governor of Plateau State is believed to be eying the office of the APC National Chairman.

Like Ebute, the former APC presidential campaign Director-General hails from the North Central which the ruling party, according to feelers, might zone its National Chairmanship to.

Abdullahi Ganduje

Lately, the two-time governor has been in the news over his likely emergence as Adamu’s replacement.

Reports have it that President Bola Tinubu is backing Ganduje to replace Adamu.

Despite the reports, a former acting National Chairman of APC, Hilliard Eta, said Tinubu has not revealed his choice.

Speaking with news, the ex-National Vice Chairman, South-South, said: “I’m conscious of the sensibilities of Nigerians towards zoning.

“I’m conscious of the dictates of the constitution of our party, but I’m also conscious of Mr President’s leadership of our party.

“This President will sell the best interest of the party, and for the position of the National Chairmanship, I sincerely yield to the position of Mr President, and if he makes his choice, I will stand by him 100 percent.

“Though Mr President has not made his decision, I hear there is a NEC meeting, and I believe that his choice would be made known.”

On his part, a former National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena warned over the constitution of the party’s leadership.

Nabena wondered why the party would consider zoning the office of the National Chairman to the Northwest after it initially zoned it to North Central.

“Whoever they like, they should bring, it was zoned to the North Central, but they want to take it to the Northwest.

“If they want to do that, it’s not a problem, but the party will continue to fight and will not get it right until they do the right thing,” Nabena told newsmen.