National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has strongly denied allegations that he intended to exclude Vice President Kashim Shettima from President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, while condemning the violent disruption that marred the party’s North-East stakeholders meeting in Gombe State over the weekend.
The controversy erupted during Saturday’s APC zonal meeting when party officials appeared to deliberately omit Vice President Shettima’s name while endorsing President Tinubu for a second term, sparking outrage among delegates and leading to chaotic scenes.
In a statement issued Monday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Enlightenment, Oliver Okpala, Ganduje described the violent incidents as “totally condemnable” and warned against such behavior in Nigeria’s political space.
“The disruption and acts of thuggery and brigandage by some members of the party at the zonal meeting of the North East APC is totally condemnable, grievously irresponsible and unpatriotic to the current political dispensation in the country,” Ganduje said through his spokesperson.
The crisis began when the party’s National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, failed to mention Vice President Shettima during his endorsement speech for President Tinubu’s second term bid. Angry delegates immediately turned on Salihu, hurling insults and threats while accusing him of deliberate sabotage and disrespect toward the vice president.
The situation deteriorated so rapidly that security operatives were forced to quickly escort Salihu out of the venue to prevent a physical assault from the incensed party members.
Deputy National Chairman (North), Bukar Dalori, attempted to calm tensions by stepping forward to formally endorse both Tinubu and Shettima together, which drew some applause from sections of the crowd.
However, suspicions of a coordinated slight against the vice president were reinforced when Ganduje himself, during his closing remarks, also failed to specifically mention Shettima, leading to further unrest among the delegates.
Okpala moved to clarify the situation, explaining that endorsing President Tinubu automatically includes the vice president since they run as a joint ticket under Nigeria’s constitutional framework.
“There is no space for violence in Nigeria’s political space presently therefore party members should resort to the civilized tenet of political decency, decorum and comportment in their political activities in the country,” Okpala stated.
The APC spokesman drew historical parallels to warn of the dangers of political violence, referencing past events that contributed to political instability in Nigeria.
“It was this kind of unwarranted political crisis in the western region in the first republic that developed into a major national crisis in the country that contributed to the collapse of the first republic,” he cautioned.
Defending Ganduje’s relationship with both the president and vice president, Okpala emphasized the party chairman’s role as a unifying figure within the APC.
“The national chairman of APC, is a father to all and since he assumed office he has been working and uniting all members, and showing love to all. His closeness and relationship to the President and Vice President is not in doubt, as it is as solid as the rock of Gibraltar,” the statement read.
Okpala revealed that Ganduje had actually attempted to defuse tensions during the meeting by explaining the joint ticket concept, but some delegates refused to accept his explanation.
“Even when Dr. Ganduje tried to diffuse the tension by letting them know that its a joint ticket, these individuals whose actions looked recalcitrant by nature failed to see reason to agree with his genuine submission,” he said.
The spokesperson noted that Ganduje had emphasized the North-East’s significant representation in the current administration and the party’s commitment to the region.
“He had emphasized that the North East produced Nigeria’s number two citizen, and that the APC values the zone. That the President and Vice President are a single ticket under the constitution, yet they refused to listen,” Okpala explained, before questioning: “What kind of politicians are these individuals seeking violence with lack of tact to resolving whatever grievances they may have?”
The statement also addressed reports that some delegates attempted to physically attack Ganduje as he was leaving the venue, describing the incident as “totally unwarranted and an assault on the entire APC leadership.”
“Political leaders should advise their followers and supporters to always show restraint and play by the rules. Politics is not about violence, it is dialogue, lobbying and consultations. No matter what people feel, they should control their tempers,” Okpala stated.
He praised security personnel for their swift intervention that prevented the situation from escalating further.
“As everyone could see, the National Chairman was going to his car and they accosted him just to attack him. Thanks to the Nigerian police personnel and other security operatives who acted promptly, preventing them from physically attacking the National Chairman and stopping the situation from degenerating into total anarchy and chaos,” the statement noted.
Okpala characterized the attempted attack as broader than just a personal assault on Ganduje, describing it as an affront to the entire party leadership.
“This was not just an assault on Dr Ganduje but to the entire APC national leadership which he leads. How do you treat a man who has laboured round the clock for peace like this?” he questioned.
The Gombe incident highlights growing tensions within the APC as the party begins positioning for the 2027 elections, with regional and personal loyalties potentially complicating the expected Tinubu-Shettima joint ticket.
