The All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Ali Dalori, the party’s National Vice Chairman (North), as Acting National Chairman following the resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje under controversial circumstances.
Dalori’s appointment, based on Article 14 of the APC constitution, was reportedly made on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Upon assuming office, Dalori pledged loyalty to the President and committed to leading the party with transparency, inclusiveness, and unity.
However, concerns have emerged within the APC leadership over Dalori’s perceived closeness to Vice President Kashim Shettima. Party insiders fear he may not possess the neutrality or administrative capacity required for the top position. Dalori, a former two-term chairman of Konduga Local Government in Borno State, is seen as a Shettima loyalist, a factor that has unsettled some party factions already eyeing 2027 political dynamics.
According to party sources, three key issues prompted the urgent scheduling of an early National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting: the abrupt nature of Ganduje’s resignation, the emergence of Dalori as acting chairman, and internal disagreements over zoning and future leadership direction.
The NEC is expected to meet on July 24, 2025, where a substantive national chairman may be announced. Deputy National Secretary of the party, Festus Faunter, confirmed this timeline after a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting presided over by Dalori. He noted that while Dalori may continue in an acting capacity, the final decision rests with the NEC.
Faunter also confirmed that preparations are underway for upcoming by-elections in states where legislative vacancies exist due to deaths or resignations. He assured that the party would soon release detailed plans for ward, local government, and state-level congresses related to the polls.
Meanwhile, sources within the presidency revealed that the formation of an opposition coalition and recent remarks by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai have further compelled the APC to revisit its internal strategies and leadership positioning.
Dalori, in his acceptance speech, emphasised the importance of reconnecting with the grassroots and reinvigorating party structures nationwide, especially in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
