A quiet but consequential power shift is unfolding within Nigeria’s ruling party as Ali Bukar Dalori, Deputy National Chairman (North), assumes the role of Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Ganduje’s sudden exit, confirmed on Friday, has raised questions about internal tensions within the APC, with sources attributing his decision to a mix of health concerns and unresolved zoning disputes within the party hierarchy.
Party chieftain Ayekooto Akindele was among the first to publicly confirm Dalori’s elevation, writing on Facebook:
“Acting National Chairman of the APC, Ali Bukar Dalori.”
The transition is in line with the APC’s succession structure, which provides that a deputy chairman may step in temporarily until a substantive leader is elected. That process is expected to take place at the party’s national convention scheduled for December 2025.
Meanwhile, Bashir Ahmad, a former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, also confirmed that one of the national vice chairmen would fill the gap on an interim basis, maintaining party continuity ahead of a formal leadership reshuffle.
Dalori, a former Borno State APC chairman with a reputation for discipline and grassroots coordination, is stepping into the role at a critical moment as the party prepares for the 2027 electoral season.
While the APC has yet to issue a full statement, the quiet endorsement of Dalori signals a desire for stability amid swirling rumours about high-level power plays — including talk of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso potentially joining the party and positioning for national influence.
As party loyalists and stakeholders await clearer direction, Dalori now holds the reins of a party facing both internal recalibration and external political pressure.