Mallam Salihu Lukman, the National Vice Chairman for North-West of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has cautioned against appointing former Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, as the next National Chairman of the party. Lukman expressed concern that such a move might upset the zoning arrangement of the party.
Speculation had arisen that President Bola Tinubu might be considering Ganduje as the next chairman following the ousting of Senator Abdullahi Adamu and Senator Iyiola Omisore as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
In a statement titled ‘APC: Way Forward,’ Lukman expressed his displeasure with the potential appointment, stating that it would be insensitive and unjust to move the party’s National Chairman position from the North Central zone to the North West. He argued that the present configuration of the leadership of the National Assembly already has the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Deputy Senate President from the North West and North Central regions, respectively.
Lukman called on the APC governors to reconsider such a move and retain the National Chairman position in the North Central zone. He also urged the National Working Committee (NWC) to take the lead in managing and facilitating negotiations to select the party’s leaders.
Furthermore, Lukman appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and guide the process of restoring constitutional order in the APC, emphasizing the importance of returning the party to its founding vision of progressive politics. He stressed the need for inclusion and justice in the party’s decision-making process and urged all leaders to demonstrate a commitment to these principles as they negotiate new leadership for the APC.
