Ganduje, Audu Ogbeh, other top Nigerian party leaders who resigned

The resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as the National Chairman of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has stirred fresh conversations about the recurring instability in the leadership structures of political parties in the country.

While Ganduje cited personal reasons for stepping down, his exit follows months of internal pressure, zoning disputes, and shifting political alliances.

His departure is not an isolated incident but rather the latest in a long line of high-profile resignations by national party leaders in Nigeria’s democratic journey—many of which were triggered by power struggles, presidential influence, or deep-rooted factional crises.

This article revisits some of the most notable resignations and the lessons they offer on party politics in Nigeria.

What Prompted Ganduje to Resign as APC National Chairman?

On June 27, 2025, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje formally resigned as the National Chairman of the APC, citing “urgent and important personal matters” in his letter to the party’s National Working Committee.

 However, credible sources within the party suggest the move was politically motivated. President Tinubu reportedly wanted a smoother path to his second-term bid by appeasing North Central delegates—who had been agitating for the national chairmanship to return to their zone—and to pave the way for allies like Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Interim leadership has now passed to Ali Dalori, the Deputy National Chairman (North)

When Did Calls for Ganduje’s Resignation Begin?

The crisis began in April 2024, when North Central APC stakeholders stormed the party secretariat in Abuja, carrying placards demanding Ganduje’s exit and for the chairmanship to return to their zone.

This demand was guided by the APC’s zoning formula from the 2022 convention, which had allocated the position to North-Central. The tension culminated in an ultimatum in October 2024, when party chieftain Saleh Zazzaga gave Ganduje seven days to resign, citing corruption allegations and party constitution violations.

Although reinstated temporarily after NEC meetings in early 2025, the pressure remained until his resignation in June 2025.

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What Precedents Exist from Past PDP and LP National Leaders Who Resigned?

• Audu Ogbeh resigned as PDP National Chairman in 2005 after publicly opposing President Obasanjo’s handling of the Anambra crisis, prioritising integrity over party pressure

• Solomon Lar stepped down as Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees in 2004, unwilling to bow to Obasanjo’s centralisation of power .

• Dan Nwanyanwu, Labour Party BOT chair, resigned in 2015 over alleged financial mismanagement and unfair candidate nomination .

• Other notable resignations include Obasanjo’s walkout as PDP BOT chair in 2012 and complete party quit in 2015; and Ahmed Adamu Muazu’s 2015 resignation due to health and political instability .

These resignations, like Ganduje’s, all reflect moments where principle, zoning, or internal strife forced top leaders to step down.

How Does Ganduje’s Exit Mirror These Historical Patterns?

Ganduje’s departure shares similar themes:

1. Zoning disputes—echoing past zoning challenges by Ogbeh and Lar.

2. Strategic politics—his resignation aligns with Tinubu’s aim to politically unite North-Central for 2027.

3. Internal pressure—multiple ultimatums and protests, like Nwanyanwu’s and Muazu’s experiences.

The outcome—an elegant exit with a federal agency appointment (FAAN chair)—is in line with Nigeria’s traditional “soft landing” approach for outgoing party chiefs.

What Happens Next in APC Leadership?

President Tinubu has directed Ali Dalori, the APC’s Deputy National Chairman (North), to act as interim leader while the National Executive Committee convenes to appoint a replacement. Observers are watching closely to see if Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso—a former Kano governor and long-time rival—emerges as a frontrunner.

What Does Ganduje’s Resignation Mean for Nigerian Party Politics?

Ganduje’s exit highlights a recurring pattern in Nigeria’s political culture: internal zoning battles, presidential influence, and the strategic redeployment of leading figures. It also reinforces how party leadership remains highly centralised, with limited resilience against geographic or ideological agitation.