In a surprising twist laden with political intrigue, President Bola Tinubu has proposed that Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), trade his high-profile position for an ambassadorial post in “any African country.”
Ganduje’s ascension to the role of national chairman on August 3, 2023, came on the heels of Abdullahi Adamu’s forced resignation, but it appears his tenure may be swiftly cut short.
Quoting credible sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity, DAILY NIGERIAN said Tinubu dispatched Senate President Godswill Akpabio to deliver what many would call a bitter pill for Ganduje. Mr. Akpabio’s mission was to break the news that the president’s offer was not merely an honor, but a strategic escape route from Ganduje’s mounting legal troubles back in Kano, where corruption charges loom heavily over him.
The decay of Ganduje’s reputation, ignited by the infamous 2018 bribe videos, now threatens to culminate in charges exceeding N50 billion against him, his wife, his son, and several associates. Yet, insiders reveal that Ganduje met the president’s suggestion with indignation, dismissing the allegations as “tissues of lies” and expressing unwavering confidence in his ability to triumph in court.
“Is this the way the president will reward my loyalty? Besides, I am too old for an ambassadorial posting. All the charges are baseless, and I will prove my innocence,” Ganduje reportedly shot back at Akpabio, his frustration palpable.
When Tinubu stepped in directly to discuss the diplomatic overture, he offered Ganduje a rare opportunity—to choose “any country in Africa.” However, other reports suggest that the president had three specific regions in mind: Africa, Asia, and Europe. Speculation within APC circles indicates that Tinubu prefers Ganduje for the ambassadorial post in Chad, a nation where Ganduje previously served as executive secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission from 2009 to 2011.
“Tinubu is trying to placate him. That’s why he’s been allowed to make a choice, but truthfully, the preference is Chad,” an insider revealed. “The real issue is that no respectable Asian or European nation would look past Ganduje’s dollar video scandal and corruption accusations to accept him as their ambassador.”
Despite this, Ganduje is reportedly flitting around the political landscape, lobbying fiercely to maintain his chairmanship. He has expressed his grievances to Chief Bisi Akande, lamenting Tinubu’s decision to ‘retire’ him from the political arena. Should the situation grow dire, insiders suggest Ganduje may lean towards Morocco over Chad as his preferred posting.
In an additional twist, less than a week after Tinubu’s initial communication, Ganduje received a formal letter announcing the president’s stamp of approval for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and a mid-term non-elective convention of the APC. Dated August 9 and signed by the president’s chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the letter outlined the president’s availability for the NEC meeting slated for dates between September 8 and 19, 2024.
“I am directed by the President to inform you that he has granted approval for the scheduling and convening of a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party. The President has confirmed his availability for the NEC meeting between the dates of 8th September 2024 and 19th September 2024,” the letter stated, setting a stage for further political maneuvering.
When reached for comment, Ganduje’s spokesman, Edwin Olofu, denied any knowledge of the ambassadorial offer but confirmed the NEC meeting arrangements. “I’m not aware of this. My boss hasn’t briefed me. However, I can confirm that we received correspondence from the President for the NEC meeting on September 12, 2024,” Olofu said, leaving the door open for speculation in a scenario brimming with uncertainty and intrigue.
