Analyzing Ganduje’s performance as APC National Chairman

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

On August 3rd, 2023, former governor of Kano state, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Senator Ajibola Basiru, at the 12th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting were ratified as National Chairman and National Secretary respectively.
This came as a surprise to many commentators and top party stalwarts in the North Central, who thought that the position could favour former Nasarawa state governor, Umar Tanko Almakura or Simon Lalong of plateau state.
They saw the choice of Ganduje as a betrayal of the zoning formula which was to favour the north central.
A lot of voices, for and against beclouded the party and set many stalwarts against each other. But loudest voice among the opposing came from the immediate-past National Vice Chairman of the party in the North-west, Malam Salihu Moh Lukman, who opined that North-central should have produced Senator Abdullahi Adamu’s successor just like Ajibola Basiru replaced Senator Iyiola Omisore from Osun state as the APC National Secretary.
But after seeing his trajectory, all those against him sheathe their swords and tow the line of President Bola Tinubu who stamped the emergence of Ganduje.
Being a man of character and a dogged politician, Ganduje made his presence felt within his few weeks in office by working with all stakeholders across boards to strengthen the party.
No wonder notable individuals corporate organisations and representatives of several nations have turned the Buhari’s House in to a Mecca of some sort to jaw jaw with the man at the helms of affairs.

Ganduje’s focus
In his maiden speech, Ganduje vowed to promote unity in the party and ensure that the party does not lose the number of executive and legislative seats it h holds.
“It’s a huge privilege and an honour and a great responsibility to take on this job and I will do it with everything I have to the best of my ability for my party and my country. We will ensure a level playing field for all party members that want to contest elections under the party’s platform. Our primary elections would be free, transparent and fair.
“Under my watch, internal democracy will be strictly adhered to with a deliberate policy to engage in wider consultations and make the party functional throughout the year.
“More reforms will be carried out in the party in alignment with the current political landscape. We all agreed that we must unite our members to achieve support for our government to respond adequately, urgently and assertively to the challenges that Nigerians confront on a daily basis.”

Reconciliation of party members
In a bold move to ensure cohesion in the party, Ganduje took various steps to reconcile aggrieved members and settle various squabbles affecting the image of the party.
This effort was seen in his reconciliatory efforts in calming the storm that almost recked the Ondo state APC. The chairman was instrumental in resolving the squabbles between the late Governor of Ondo state, Rotimi Akeredolu and his Deputy, (now the governor) Lucky Aiyedatiwa, by setting up a reconciliation committee to resolve the political disagreement.
The allegations against Aiyedatiwa that almost led to his impeachment by the State House of Assembly bothered on gross misconduct; though many at the court of public opinion saw it as a political gimmick.
In the heat of the infighting, the then deputy governor obtained an order from the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the lawmakers to suspend the process. But the party’s intervention also brought about peaceful transition of power to the late Akeredolu’s deputy who is now the governor of Ondo State

Grassroots structure
In his new style of leadership and determination to make the people at the grassroots instrumental
in party affairs, the APC chairman involves party members at various stages to feel a sense of belonging. This was demonstrated in the November 11, 2023 governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states, where he inauguration the national campaign team for those elections.

Institute of Progressive Study
Also in his determination to ensure that the governing party and the members live up to expectation as a progressive party, Ganduje revealed plan to establish an Institute of Progressives Study, where party members and upcoming leaders will be taught rudiments of government and what a progressive party stands for. The idea has been commended by stakeholders and political scientists.
“The establishment of the National Institute of Progressive Studies aims to educate our members, as well as the public, on democratic principles, internal democracy, the prevention of hate speech, and adherence to legal rules regarding elections and other processes.
“This institution will collaborate with the government to develop appropriate policies conducive to democracy,” he explained.

Functional offices across the country
As a grassroots moblizer, the former Kano state governor, in order to ensure mobilisation and to carry all party members along, he revealed through his NWC, plans to ensure that APC has functional offices in all the 8,813 wards across the country.
He said: “I will like to call on all party members and stakeholders to rally round our candidate so that our party will succeed. By doing so, all the legacy projects would be sustained and there will be continuation in governance.
“As a party, we are committed to working hard individually and collectively to realise these goals and objectives. It is pertinent to also note that we have initiated and concluded plans to structure our party into a truly grassroots progressive party by opening full-fledged and functional offices in all the 8,813 wards in Nigeria.”

E-registration of members
While taking the advantage of technological advancement, the Ganduje-led National Working Committee (NWC) has also commenced the process of registering its over 40 million members electronically to consolidate its membership strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The new development will also expand reach and develop a reliable database.
Peoples Daily recalls that, Mai Mala Buni-led National Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Committee conducted a similar nationwide membership registration exercise, which brought the current membership to over 40 million.
Ganduje explained that the essence of the electronic registration innovation is to capture the current membership strength of the party.
He decried the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, stressing that the number of votes garnered by the party was a far cry from the actual strength of its registered members.
“If you will recall, we had several 41 million members. But during the presidential election, we had only eight million. What happened to the rest? This is why we need to be digital and ensure that we are working with the correct data.
“Another step that we have taken is that we are reviewing our registration electronically now. The work has already started. You should be ready that all our members will be electronically registered so that we have an exact number physically.”

Defections of opposition leaders
Based on his leadership, many who abandoned the party in the past are returning to the APC.
It is worthy of note that recent activities across the country saw mass defection of the high and mighty to the ruling party. Leading the train of defectors is a former National Chairman of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Prof. Rufai Alkali, the former National Organising Secretary, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, former National Legal Adviser, Prof. Bem Angwe and other party members have defected to the ruling APC.
Also, in Anambra state, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah also defected to the ruling party recently, followed by a House of Assembly members in Rivers State.
In another boost to the party, former senator Solomon Ewuga of Nasarawa state also defected to the APC last week, forcing many commentators to commend his style of leadership and diplomacy.
They are unanimous that history will remember the former Kano state governor for changing the narrative within a very short time in office.