President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has indicated that immediate-past All Progressives Congress National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje could continue serving the party in a consultancy capacity despite stepping down from his leadership position.
Speaking at the APC National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja on Thursday, President Tinubu outlined plans for Ganduje’s continued involvement in party affairs, particularly regarding the Progressive Institute project.
“I gave him an assignment on the formation of a Progressive Institute. The National Secretary will work with the chairman to revitalise it and we can still take him [Ganduje] as a consultant to work with the new chairman to do that,” the President stated during his address to party leaders.
The President’s comments suggest that while Ganduje has resigned from his position as National Chairman citing health reasons, his expertise and institutional knowledge remain valuable to the party’s development initiatives.
Tinubu’s reference to retaining Ganduje as a consultant indicates the ruling party’s desire to maintain continuity in key projects, especially the Progressive Institute that was established during the former chairman’s tenure.
The remarks came during the same NEC meeting where Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda was formally confirmed as the new APC National Chairman, with Governor Hope Uzodimma moving his nomination and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas providing the seconding support.
President Tinubu also announced during the meeting that States, Local Government, and Ward congresses would be postponed to December, as part of strategic efforts to accommodate potential defectors ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The President’s suggestion about Ganduje’s consultancy role reflects the APC’s approach to managing leadership transitions while preserving institutional memory and ongoing strategic initiatives within the party structure.
By indicating that Ganduje could “still” be retained as a consultant, Tinubu demonstrated the party’s appreciation for the former chairman’s contributions and the potential value of his continued involvement in party development efforts.
