President Bola Tinubu has reportedly penned the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, for an ambassadorial appointment head of Ganduje’s planned removal as the party’s leader.
This comes just a month after NewsNGR reported that Ganduje’s removal was imminent as Tinubu beings re-election preparations.
A party source had told NewsNGR that the only thing holding Ganduje’s removal was the challenge of finding a credible successor.
Ganduje, who assumed the role of APC National Chairman on August 3, 2023, following the resignation of Senator Abdullahi Adamu, is said to be unhappy with the proposed appointment.
Tinubu has offered Ganduje an ambassadorial position in “any African country,” with strong indications that Chad is the preferred post due to Ganduje’s previous experience as the executive secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission from 2009 to 2011, reports Daily Nigerian.
NewsNGR reports that if appointed ambassador, Ganduje may enjoy diplomatic immunity from the ongoing corruption trial he faces in Kano, where he, his wife, son, and other associates are being accused of misappropriating over N50bn.
But Ganduje had reportedly expressed displeasure with the offer, questing if “this the way the president will reward my loyalty?”
He was alleged to have told Senate President Godswill Akpabio that, “Besides, I am too old to go for an ambassadorial posting. All the charges are tissues of lies, and I will win my case in court.”
Ganduje was said to still be lobbying to retain his position as APC chairman, seeking support from key party members. But if forced to accept the ambassadorship, Ganduje is reportedly leaning toward a posting in Morocco over Chad.
The APC chairman’s spokesman, Edwin Olofu, said he was unaware of the ambassadorial posting when asked about it. He, however, confirmed the president’s approval for the upcoming party NEC meetings.
“I’m not aware of this, my boss hasn’t briefed me. But I’m aware that the party wrote to the Mr President requesting a date to hold the NEC meeting, and correspondence has been received from the Presidency that 12 September 2024 is approved for the NEC meeting, while the non-elective convention has equally been approved towards the end of the year,” Olofu said.