President Bola Tinubu has reportedly proposed appointing Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as an ambassador to an African country.
The move is seen as an effort to shield Ganduje from the ongoing corruption trial he faces in Kano. Sources indicate that Senate President Godswill Akpabio was initially tasked with conveying this news to Ganduje in an attempt to save him from the legal troubles tied to corruption allegations.
Ganduje, who faced public scrutiny after the release of 2018 videos showing him allegedly accepting bribes, is currently embroiled in a corruption case involving over ₦50 billion, alongside his wife, son, and other associates.
According to sources cited by Daily Nigerian, Ganduje reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the president’s proposal, hinting at a rejection of the ambassadorial offer. He reportedly argued that the charges against him were baseless and that he was confident of winning his case in court. “Is this the way the president rewards my loyalty? Besides, I am too old for an ambassadorial posting. All the charges are fabricated lies, and I will clear my name in court,” Ganduje was quoted as telling Akpabio.
President Tinubu is said to have personally presented Ganduje with three diplomatic postings, offering him a choice between Africa, Asia, and Europe. However, Tinubu’s preferred choice for Ganduje was an ambassadorship to Chad, considering Ganduje’s previous experience in Ndjamena as the executive secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission from 2009 to 2011.
A source close to Ganduje revealed, “The president is trying to pacify him by allowing him to choose between three countries, but his preference is for Ganduje to serve in Chad. The challenge is that Ganduje’s corruption allegations and the dollar video might make it difficult for serious Asian or European countries to accept him as an ambassador. Ganduje, however, is lobbying hard to retain his current position, seeking support from key figures like Chief Bisi Akande and expressing his displeasure with the idea of being ‘retired’ from politics. If pushed, Ganduje might opt for Morocco over Chad.”
Responding to the developments, Ganduje’s spokesperson, Edwin Olofu, stated that he was unaware of the proposed ambassadorial appointment but confirmed the president’s approval for the NEC meeting and the non-elective convention. “I’m not aware of the ambassadorial posting, and my boss hasn’t briefed me on it,” Olofu said. “However, I can confirm that the party sought approval from the President for the NEC meeting, and a date has been set for September 12, 2024, with the non-elective convention approved to take place later this year.”
