By Dr. Tukur Madu Yemi
Federal University of Kashere Gombe
A Calculated Swap: Ganduje Out, Dalori In
On June 27, 2025, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje resigned as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Though he cited health concerns as the reason, political watchers are not convinced. His resignation follows sustained pressure from party insiders, corruption allegations that have refused to fade, and growing tension over leadership imbalances within the party.
In his place, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori from Borno State has been appointed as the Acting National Chairman. A staunch loyalist of Vice President Kashim Shettima and a formidable figure within the North-East political structure, Dalori’s emergence signals a major shift both in personnel and power. It is a calculated move by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at rewarding loyalty and rebalancing the power axis within the party.
Kano at a Crossroads: Who Leads the APC in the North-West?
Kano State has long held sway as the political heartbeat of Northern Nigeria. With Ganduje’s exit, the APC is at a crossroads. The party must quickly consolidate leadership in the North-West to avoid further fragmentation especially in Kano, where intra-party divisions already threaten cohesion.
A likely successor to Ganduje’s political influence is Senator Barau Jibrin, the current Deputy Senate President and a trusted Tinubu loyalist. His stature, political experience, and wide acceptance across factions position him as the natural heir to lead the APC in Kano and potentially the entire North-West region.
But the battle for Kano’s political soul is far from over. Ganduje still maintains a fiercely loyal base, and his exit does not automatically end the rift within the APC in the state. Reconciling the Ganduje camp, remnants of Kwankwasiyya defectors, and independent APC stalwarts will be key to building a strong, united front ahead of 2027. If mishandled, Kano may become APC’s Achilles’ heel.
The North-East Ascends
Dalori’s ascension coupled with Vice President Shettima’s national influence and Governor Babagana Zulum’s impressive leadership marks a definitive moment for Borno State and the North-East region. Long considered a fringe player in national politics, the region is now seated firmly at the centre of power.
This is not an accidental development. Tinubu appears to be crafting a new political fortress in the North-East, built on tested loyalty and competent leadership. Dalori, a two-time APC chairman in Borno and a political bridge between grassroots and elite politics, complements Shettima’s strategic depth and Zulum’s performance-based popularity. Together, they represent a triangle of influence with national implications.
Tinubu’s Strategy: Quiet Moves, Big Effects
President Tinubu has shown a consistent pattern in his political chess game: quiet but decisive maneuvers with far-reaching consequences. The removal of Ganduje and elevation of Dalori serve multiple objectives:
Rewarding loyalty and proven commitment: Dalori has been unwavering in his support of the Tinubu political project.
Calming internal dissent: Ganduje’s controversies were becoming a liability. His exit removes a distraction and appeases aggrieved factions.
Regional rebalancing: Empowering the North-East helps correct the dominance of the North-West and creates a more inclusive party structure.
Each of these decisions reflects Tinubu’s long game: stabilize the APC internally, strengthen it regionally, and position it for a seamless power transition in 2027.
2027 and Beyond: Power Rotation and Party Unity
A key question now emerges: With both the Vice Presidency and APC Chairmanship now held by Northeasterners, how long will this regional power concentration last? What does it mean for other geopolitical zones, especially the North-West and North-Central
For now, Borno has become a strategic anchor in Tinubu’s vision. However, Kano the long-time kingmaker of Nigerian politics cannot be left behind. Senator Barau Jibrin may well become the unifying figure the party needs in the North-West, one capable of healing rifts, mobilizing voters, and keeping Kano relevant in the national scheme.
The success or failure of this power realignment will depend on how inclusive and consultative the APC leadership becomes. If handled with vision, this could usher in a new era of regional balance and party stability. If not, it could deepen divisions and complicate Tinubu’s 2027 roadmap.
The Big Picture: A Recalibrated APC
The transition from Ganduje to Dalori is not just about changing the face of APC leadership. It’s a signal of a broader recalibration within Nigeria’s ruling party:
Kano must reassert itself or risk political irrelevance.
Borno is now a rising centre of power, influence, and policy shaping.
APC must manage internal diversity to survive the next general election.
Tinubu is reshaping the political architecture to ensure long-term dominance.
What we are witnessing is the quiet evolution of Nigerian political power, away from traditional strongholds to newer, more loyal territories. It is a reminder that in politics, alliances matter, loyalty is currency, and strategy is everything.
Final Word
The APC finds itself at a defining moment, one that could shape the next decade of Nigerian democracy. Dalori’s emergence signals not just a change in leadership, but a shift in the geography of influence within the party. Kano must now reconfigure its role, and Borno must prove that it can handle the pressure of power.
As the 2027 elections loom large, one thing is certain: the political chessboard has been rearranged, and every move from here on out will determine who ultimately claims the crown.
Dr. Tukur Madu Yemi
alhajitukur68@gmail.com
