Reports have emerged that President Bola Tinubu has offered the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Abdullahi Ganduje, an ambassadorial appointment in any African country
Recall that the embattled former Kano State governor was appointed as the national chairman of the ruling party on August 3, 2023, following the forced resignation of Abdullahi Adamu.
Credible sources, who disclosed this to newsmen yesterday under condition of anonymity, confirmed that President Tinubu first delegated the President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio to tell Ganduje about the development.
According to the sources, Akpabio told the APC National Chairman that the presidents ambassadorial offer was aimed at saving him from the ongoing corruption trial he is currently facing in Kano.
Ganduje, whose 2018 alleged bribe videos caused him public opprobrium and ridicule, is facing corruption charges alongside his wife, son and other accomplices to the tune of over N50 billion.
However, according to inside sources, Ganduje grumbled and tacitly rejected the presidents offer, explaining that the charges were tissues of lies and would win his cases in court.
But, other sources said the president offered him three choices in Africa, Asia and Europe. A source close to the APC chairman said the Presidents preference was to post him as Nigerian ambassador to Chad, having served in Ndjamena at one time as the Executive secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission between 2009 and 2011.
It was reported that a few days after Tinubu communicated the decision to Ganduje, a letter was sent to the APC chairman notifying him of the Presidents approval to conduct the National Executive Committee meeting and mid-term non-elective National Convention.
The letter, dated August 9 and signed by the Presidents Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, informed Ganduje of the Presidents availability for the NEC meeting to be held at a date between September 8 and 19, 2024.
Gbajabiamila, in the letter, said:
I am directed by the President to inform you that he has granted approval for the scheduling and convening of a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party. The President has confirmed his availability for the NEC meeting between the dates of 8th September 2024 and 19th September, 2024.
Furthermore, the President has directed that the agenda for the NEC meeting include, among other things, the consideration of a date for the non-elective National Convention to be held before the end of the year 2024.
Kindly liaise with the undersigned regarding any developments, or necessary clarifications related to the scheduling of the meeting. Please ensure that any changes or updates are communicated promptly to facilitate smooth coordination.
