In the grand game of Nigerian politics, much like the ancient and strategic board game of chess, sacrifices are sometimes made not out of weakness, but as part of a calculated gambit for a checkmate.
Yes, it is true that Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has stepped down from his position as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing health reasons, political observers have immediately raised their brows. Was it truly a matter of health or the consequence of a deeper, more strategic political play leading up to the 2027 general elections?
To seasoned watchers of the political chessboard, Ganduje’s resignation is not an isolated act. It is a carefully placed move in a wider plan unfolding within the APC and the larger presidential orbit of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The former Kano State governor has long been a controversial but loyal figure within the ruling party. Yet in politics, loyalty has a price, and sometimes that price is relevance.
In this scenario, Ganduje appears less like a fallen king and more like a sacrificed pawn strategically positioned, then removed to open the board for a much larger play.
His exit paves the way for a broader realignment in the North-West, the region that remains pivotal to any presidential ambition. With murmurs that Vice President Kashim Shettima’s position might be up for rotation, and whispers of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso entering into negotiations to replace him on the 2027 ticket, the plot thickens.
If these whispers turn out to be true, then Ganduje’s ousting serves multiple purposes. First, it clears the way for APC’s national chairmanship to be zoned to Borno State; Shettima’s home , possibly as a consolation if the vice presidency is indeed traded.
Second, it neutralizes a key political rival of Kwankwaso within Kano, who remains one of the most influential northern politicians not currently aligned with Tinubu. By removing Ganduje from the chessboard, Tinubu may be sending a welcoming signal to Kwankwaso: “Come in, there’s a place for you.”
Politics in Nigeria is not linear. It is built on backdoor deals, regional balancing acts, and long-term ambitions. Tinubu, a master strategist in his own right, understands that 2027 cannot be won solely through the South-West or traditional APC strongholds. The North remains crucial. By allowing Ganduje to fall on his sword, whether willingly or otherwise, Tinubu could be recalibrating his alliance structure to ensure a broader Northern embrace in the next election cycle.
There are also implications for internal party dynamics. Ganduje’s continued leadership was becoming increasingly untenable. Dogged by old allegations and struggling to maintain unity within the APC ranks, his presence may have become more of a liability than an asset. His resignation wrapped in the polite cloth of “health concerns” offers a face-saving exit while serving the greater political good.
Enter Kwankwaso, a man with presidential ambition still burning in his veins. Though he led the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the last election, he has remained open to alignment talks. Tinubu knows this. So does Shettima. Offering Kwankwaso the vice presidency or even just a significant national role could split the northern opposition and bring Kano back into the APC’s fold. But such a deal requires sacrifices, and Ganduje’s removal may be the first of many.
Ganduje, ironically, helped Tinubu secure the North-West in 2023. But the post-election game has no room for sentiment. It is about 2027 now and the board is being cleared for a new offensive.
Whether Ganduje returns in another form or fades into political semi-retirement, one thing is clear — he was a piece on a much larger board, and his removal was less about personal weakness and more about strategic necessity. Tinubu’s re-election bid is already underway, not through rallies, but through repositioning. The health excuse may soothe the public, but those who understand the game know that in politics, just like chess, every move has meaning — and every sacrifice, a motive.
Ganduje may have been a loyal player, but in this game, even the loyal are sometimes expendable.
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