In a move that has stirred Nigeria’s political landscape, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has abruptly stepped down as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former two-term governor of Kano State reportedly submitted his resignation with immediate effect, attributing his decision to health-related reasons.
However, insiders suggest that growing discontent within the party over his leadership style may have influenced his exit.
The sources said Ganduje’s aides have already cleared his office at the APC secretariat, signaling a definitive departure.
His appointment in August 2023 had been met with mixed reactions, as critics questioned the lack of broad consensus in his selection.
During his tenure, Ganduje faced backlash over allegations of favoritism, high-handedness, and the imposition of steep nomination fees on aspirants—particularly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections. Many party members reportedly condemned the fees as exploitative and undemocratic.
As of now, the APC has yet to issue an official statement confirming Ganduje’s resignation or announcing an interim replacement.
The development leaves the ruling party at a critical juncture as it navigates internal tensions ahead of future elections.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
