APC POWER PLAY: TINUBU, NEC, AND THE BATTLE TO REPLACE GANDUJE AS NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
As the sun set over Abuja on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, a sense of urgency gripped the air around Aso Rock Villa. Inside the Presidential Conference Hall, President Bola Tinubu met in a closed-door session with 23 governors elected under the All-Progressives Congress (APC) and this was no routine gathering.
With the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting 2025 just hours away, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, assembled to chart a way forward amid rising tensions and the unresolved issue of who will be the next APC National Chairman.
The Ganduje Gap: Who Will Fill the APC Leadership Void?
Since the dramatic resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje last month officially attributed to health reasons, the ruling APC has been in a leadership limbo. But the question everyone’s asking is: who will replace Ganduje as APC chairman?
The resignation not only leaves a gap in the National Working Committee (NWC) but also reawakens the zoning debate. Ganduje, from the North-west, was a controversial pick in 2023, especially since the APC national chairmanship was originally zoned to the North Central. Now, that region—home to Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, and Plateau is demanding what it believes is a return to fairness and balance.
North Central’s Strong Push: Akume, Al-Makura, Musa in the Spotlight
From the heart of the North Central, political heavyweights are jostling to restore the zone’s influence within the party. Although SGF George Akume has denied any ambition to take over, names like Tanko Al-Makura, Senator Sani Musa, and Joshua Dariye have surfaced as top contenders.
Others including Mohammed Etsu, Solomon Ewuga, and Barnabas Gemade are also in the mix. These men aren’t just names; they represent decades of political experience and regional pride, all vying to return the APC’s leadership soul back to its zoning roots.
Let’s not forget, Ali Dalori, who currently serves as the acting APC national chairman, could remain in that role until a formal elective convention is held. But insiders say pressure is mounting to resolve the chairmanship issue sooner rather than later.
NEC Meeting 2025: Beyond Leadership, a Test of Unity
The much-anticipated APC NEC meeting scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on July 24 isn’t just about filling a chair it’s about solidifying the party’s future.
A deep dive into party finances, updates from the Constitution Review Committee, timelines for upcoming party congresses, and early groundwork for the APC’s 2027 election strategy. While the National Caucus meeting was quietly shelved, reportedly at the request of President Tinubu there’s still hope that Thursday’s session will deliver clarity and cohesion.
This is the first NEC gathering since the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari. A special session in his honour may unfold, reminding party loyalists of where the journey began and how far they’ve come.
Tinubu’s Balancing Act: Leading a Party and a Nation
President Bola Tinubu faces perhaps his toughest balancing act yet. As both party leader and head of state, he’s tasked with managing the complex web of APC’s internal politics while driving national reform. His closed-door meeting with APC governors wasn’t just a pre-NEC formality, it was a strategic move to align visions, calm nerves, and potentially anoint his preferred successor to Ganduje.
With governors like Sanwo-Olu, Oyebanji, and Uzodimma arriving early and tensions running high, it’s clear that whatever decisions are made behind those Villa doors will ripple far beyond Abuja.
Final Thoughts: APC’s Moment of Truth
The APC power tussle over the national chairmanship isn’t just about positions, it’s about legacy, zoning justice, unity, and the road to 2027. With the North Central APC bloc demanding its due, and a field of formidable contenders waiting in the wings, all eyes are on what happens next.
Will the party lean toward continuity with Ali Dalori, or will a political heavyweight like Al-Makura or Sani Musa emerge from the shadows?
One thing is certain, that the APC NEC meeting 2025 isn’t just another item on the political calendar, it’s a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
So, stay tuned. This is where the real game begins.
