Aminu Dahiru
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On Thursday President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje CON, among other APC stakeholders attended the APC National summit held at the Presidential Villa’s Banquet Hall, with the theme ‘The Journey So Far’ in Abuja.
The meeting was to examine the party’s progress and the Tinubu administration’s gains. Satisfied with both, the party’s stakeholders adopted president Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate of the party in the 2027 elections.
This significant development in the APC is very much connected with the leadership style of the national chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje CON and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to reposition Nigeria.
Ganduje, as a political general, is gradually lending credence to the once forgotten dictum that political parties, in this case the APC, must to be green: a source of hope for political office holders and the citizenry.
Mechanical work…
Upon his appointment as the national chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje did not find a corner to jubilate; rather he rolled up sleeves and got to work. A meeting after meeting, began to stitch the elements of the party.
At the dawn of his appointment, Ganduje blew the trumpet of internal democracy. To him, it is sacrosanct. Every member must feel at home.
It was during one of such meetings that Ganduje said, “We always encourage internal democracy so that we reduce tension and factionalisation of the Party.
“Though you may have incidents here and there at the same time we have internal democracy.
“There is more understanding and there is more hope, especially when you are facing an election.”
Every political party which is genuinely ready to face the 2027 elections must put its house in order. Functionalism, resentment, and contempt must be eradicated. Ganduje worked tirelessly to ensure stability.
The chairman prioritizes synergy between party officials and political office holders; and then deliverance.
Ganduje urged all members of the party to reject internal sabotage; engage with communities, listen to citizens, and build a political structure that lasts beyond elections.
Making APC attractive…
Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor and Atiku Abubakar’s running mate during the 2023 presidential election, Ifeanyi Okowa and about ten federal lawmakers have defected to the APC. Now Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has directed all commissioners and political appointees to defect with him to the APC or resign. Ganduje is making the party attractive to opposition political leaders.
More opposition leaders are expected to join the party before the 2027 elections. Why? The APC under Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has expertly bridged the gap between the executives and legislators on the one hand and between political leaders and the citizenry on the other.
Tinubu’s superb performance
I am not surprised that APC stakeholders have unanimously adopted Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate in the 2027 election. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has performed superbly. The president and the party are committed to economic revitalization, institutional renewal, and inclusive development, as the president is working to reposition Nigeria.
It is based on this that Ganduje said, “At the heart of our current political and developmental journey is the Renewed Hope Agenda, a bold and necessary blueprint put forth by our leader and President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“This agenda is not just a political slogan; it is a comprehensive vision aimed at resetting the foundations of governance, restoring economic vibrancy, and instilling a renewed sense of national purpose.
“Barely two years now into his administration, we can confidently say that Renewed Hope is no longer a vision on paper; it is a reality in motion.
“Therefore, we, as the governing party, must rise as the first and most steadfast defenders and implementers of this vision.”
Tinubu’s key reforms include the removal of fuel subsidies, the unification of the foreign exchange market, targeted interventions in agriculture and infrastructure, and bold economic reforms aimed at fostering inclusive growth and long-term sustainability.
Others are the approval of a new National Minimum Wage from N30,000 to N70,000 for civil servants, the Conditional Cash Transfer of N25,000 to 15 million vulnerable households for three months, and the launch of the Compressed Natural Gas Initiative.
The above is not viable without strong political structure a we see today under the leadership of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Ganduje is not relaxing on his efforts to strengthen the APC.
Aminu Dahiru
Senior Special Assistant to the APC National Chairman on Visual Communication & Events
APC Secretariat, Abuja