President Bola Tinubu has proposed an ambassadorial appointment for Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to serve in “any African country,” as part of a strategy to distance him from his ongoing corruption trial, sources have revealed.
Ganduje, who assumed the APC chairmanship on August 3, 2023, following Abdullahi Adamu’s resignation, is currently facing corruption charges exceeding N50 billion. These charges, related to a notorious bribery scandal from 2018, have caused significant public scandal and legal trouble for him and his family.
According to sources, President Tinubu initially tasked Senate President Godswill Akpabio with delivering the news to Ganduje. Akpabio informed Ganduje that the ambassadorial offer was intended to offer him a reprieve from his legal issues.
Despite the offer, Ganduje reportedly expressed dissatisfaction and a reluctance to accept the diplomatic posting. He dismissed the corruption charges as false and insisted he would clear his name in court.
Tinubu later personally offered Ganduje the opportunity to select an ambassadorial post, with Chad being a preferred option due to Ganduje’s previous experience there. However, the president was also said to have offered Ganduje choices in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Sources close to Ganduje suggest he is seeking to retain his current position and has been lobbying for support within the party. If forced to choose, Ganduje is rumored to prefer Morocco over Chad.
In addition, a letter dated August 9, signed by the president’s chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, has been sent to Ganduje. The letter details the president’s approval for an upcoming APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled between September 8 and 19, 2024, and a non-elective national convention later in the year.
Ganduje’s spokesman, Edwin Olofu, has confirmed receipt of the correspondence regarding the NEC meeting and convention but stated he was unaware of the proposed ambassadorial role.
The developments reflect ongoing tensions within the APC and the broader political landscape as the party navigates internal challenges and external controversies.
