The
National Caucus of the governing party, All Progressives Congress (APC),
gathered
yesterday to ensure a clear path for the emergence of Abdullahi
Ganduje, the immediate past governor of Kano State, as the national chairman of
the governing council. The appointment of Ganduje as national chairman, alongside
Senator Ajibola Basiru as the national secretary, was set to be ratified during
the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at Transcorp Hilton,
Abuja, today.
The
caucus, led by the party’s leader President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, acknowledged potential
legal and constitutional obstacles that might hinder Ganduje’s leadership.
Consequently, they mandated the party’s leadership to work out modalities to
address and eliminate these impediments to ensure a smooth transition to
Ganduje’s leadership.
To
achieve this objective, the national caucus was directed to eliminate any
potential legal actions against Ganduje’s leadership and pave the way for his
takeover as national chairman during the NEC meeting. This crucial meeting was
called pursuant to Article 12.5 of the APC constitution, while the NEC meeting
was scheduled in accordance with Article 25.2 (1) of the party’s constitution.
The
caucus members included the national chairman, deputy national chairmen for
North and South, national secretary, national legal adviser, national
treasurer, national organizing secretary, national woman leader, national youth
leader, and the leader of persons with disabilities. Additionally, past and
present presidents, vice presidents, Senate presidents, and Speakers of the
House of Representatives who are members of the party were part of the caucus.
The
meeting was prompted by the discovery of certain legal hurdles within the
party’s constitution that could obstruct Ganduje’s emergence as national
chairman. These constitutional challenges had to be addressed before the NEC
meeting to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
Meanwhile,
37 chairmen of the party from the states and federal capital territory met with
Ganduje in Abuja, where they officially recognized him as the national chairman
ahead of his unveiling during the NEC meeting. The state chairmen pledged their
loyalty, support, and cooperation to Ganduje, expressing their commitment to
supporting his leadership.
The
directive to make Ganduje the next national chairman came from President Bola
Ahmed Tinubu, and the caucus was determined to fulfill this presidential order.
Despite Ganduje’s initial reluctance to take up the position due to his plans
to become a minister, he ultimately accepted the offer and decided to assume
the national chairman role.
However,
the party was aware that certain legal hurdles within the party’s constitution
could pose challenges to Ganduje’s leadership. Hence, the caucus was tasked
with tackling these issues to avoid any legal actions or challenges to his
appointment.
The
party leaders were hopeful that the caucus members would complete their
assignment promptly and pave the way for a seamless emergence of Ganduje as the
national chairman during the NEC meeting. The success of Ganduje’s appointment
would rely heavily on the caucus’s ability to resolve the constitutional
hindrances before the crucial meeting.
