In a significant development, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has revealed that the party’s accounts have been garnished due to a massive N8.9bn debt accumulated from election-related legal battles. Speaking at the APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Wednesday, Ganduje urged the party leadership to intervene and provide assistance to resolve the financial strain.
The debts stem from legal challenges filed by opposition parties contesting the elections of President Bola Tinubu, APC governors, and legislators. Ganduje outlined that the party is facing substantial financial pressure as a result of these pre-election legal matters, election cases, and ongoing appeals related to legislative, governorship, and presidential elections.
Ganduje also acknowledged the efforts of the APC’s National Legal Adviser, Prof. Abdul Kareem Kana, who has been working tirelessly to reduce the debt load through dialogue and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. However, despite these efforts, he emphasized the urgent need for the NEC’s intervention.
The meeting, which followed a national caucus gathering at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was attended by top party officials, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, among others. Notably, several key party figures, including former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, were absent.
In addition to the financial issues, Ganduje also requested President Tinubu’s assistance in acquiring land from the Federal Capital Territory Administration for the construction of a new, more suitable APC national secretariat. He stressed that the current structure no longer reflects the status of the ruling party and expressed hope for the project’s successful realization.
While addressing the NEC, Ganduje assured party members that despite the challenges, the APC is committed to fulfilling its electoral promises. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to reconcile aggrieved members within the party, which have shown promising results.
A vote of confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership was passed during the meeting, with the motion immediately seconded by former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole commended Tinubu’s economic reforms, which he believes are already bearing fruit.
President Tinubu, in his remarks, expressed gratitude for the support and pledged to continue working toward Nigeria’s prosperity. He reiterated his commitment to resolving the party’s internal conflicts, particularly in state chapters, as politicking intensifies in preparation for the 2027 general elections. Tinubu also announced plans to establish reconciliation committees within the party to address ongoing disputes, including those in Kano, Benue, Lagos, and other states.
Despite some notable absences, APC spokesperson Felix Morka downplayed the significance of missing leaders, including former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, stressing that the meeting had a comprehensive turnout. Morka also responded to recent public criticisms from El-Rufai, advising him to consider the broader context of his status before airing grievances.
As the APC navigates its internal challenges, including the management of election-related debts and leadership tensions in various states, the party is determined to maintain its unity and fulfill its promises to the Nigerian people.
