By Aminu Garko, Abuja
The resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has set off a fresh wave of political consultations, with the spotlight now on two prominent leaders from the North-Central zone—Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and Senator Mohammed Sani Musa—as possible successors.
Ganduje’s resignation, long speculated and now confirmed, is seen as part of a broader realignment within the APC leadership, as the party prepares for internal reforms and begins early groundwork for the 2027 general elections.
Zoning Consensus Favors North-Central
As the APC looks to maintain internal balance, zoning has emerged as a key determinant in the succession process. With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the South-West and Senate President Godswill Akpabio from the South-South, party leaders have resolved that the national chairmanship should remain in the North-Central geopolitical zone.
This has placed Nasarawa State’s Al-Makura and Niger State’s Sani Musa in pole position—both widely respected, influential, and seen as capable of stabilizing and restructuring the party.
Al-Makura: APC Loyalist, Political Stabilizer
A founding member of the APC and former governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura is regarded as a party loyalist with a calm and deliberate leadership style. He was a key player in the CPC bloc during the 2013 merger that birthed the APC and is widely viewed as a bridge between the party’s legacy factions.
“Al-Makura is steady, grounded, and understands the dynamics of the party. He is a unifying figure at a time when the APC needs stability more than anything,” a source within the APC’s national caucus said.
Sani Musa: Reluctant Reformer, Under Pressure
Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, representing Niger East, is also under serious consideration. The chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance is widely acknowledged as a capable reformer with strong technocratic credentials. His youth, innovation, and administrative style make him a popular choice among the party’s younger members and progressive wing.
However, Sani Musa is said to be reluctant to accept the chairmanship, preferring to focus on his work in the Senate. Nevertheless, pressure is mounting from powerful party figures who believe his leadership could inject new energy and credibility into the APC.
“His hesitation is understandable—he’s focused on major legislative reforms. But there is growing consensus that the party needs someone with his profile to reposition itself for the future,” a senior party source said.
NEC Meeting Expected Soon
An emergency meeting of the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) is expected in the coming days, where an interim arrangement may be announced before a substantive chairman is either ratified or elected at a national convention.
Party insiders say consultations are ongoing and may yield a consensus candidate to avoid divisive contests.
As the APC navigates yet another leadership transition, all eyes remain on the North-Central zone—home to both front-runners—and how the ruling party manages its next phase amid rising political expectations and internal recalibrations.
