The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has commended the immediate resignation of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, describing it as an honourable and timely decision that sets a precedent for other leaders facing health challenges.
In a statement released on Friday via X, Obi said he had read reports of Ganduje’s resignation, which was said to be due to declining health.
While details remain unclear as of press time, Ganduje has stepped down and vacated his office at the national secretariat in Abuja.
Reacting to the development, Obi praised the former Kano State governor for ‘prioritising his health above all else’.
‘With his health reportedly in decline, it is both wise and honourable to step aside, knowing that he may no longer be able to render the level of service required by the party, the people, and the nation, Obi stated.
He added that Ganduje’s resignation should serve as a wake-up call to other leaders whose health may be impairing their ability to perform optimally in office.
‘By this exemplary action, Dr. Ganduje has thrown a challenge to other leaders who, due to health-related issues, are no longer able to deliver optimally. I sincerely hope they take a cue from him’, he said.
Obi noted that Nigeria’s current challenges demand leaders who are not only competent but also physically and mentally agile. He stressed that the country can no longer afford the burden of ‘medical tourism, long holidays, or absenteeism caused by age-related ailments’.
‘These things are taking a serious toll on our development’, he warned.
Obi further prayed for Ganduje’s health and peace in retirement.
‘May God Almighty grant Dr. Ganduje a peaceful and fulfilling retirement’, he said.
Meanwhile, sources within the APC say the National Working Committee is expected to announce an acting chairman shortly, with a national convention scheduled for December 2025 to elect a substantive replacement.
A former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, also confirmed Ganduje’s resignation in a post on X, noting that a national vice chairman would step in as acting chairman pending the convention.
