Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu has recommended Abdullahi Ganduje, the current national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for an ambassadorial position. Ganduje, who assumed the role on August 3, 2023, following Abdullahi Adamu’s resignation, is currently facing a high-profile corruption case in Kano State.
Controversial Timing and Response
The recommendation comes at a contentious time, with Ganduje entangled in a corruption scandal that dates back to 2018, when videos allegedly showing him accepting bribes were leaked. He now faces corruption charges exceeding N50 billion, alongside his wife, son, and other associates. Despite these allegations, Ganduje reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the ambassadorial offer, questioning the president’s motivation and asserting that the charges against him are baseless.
According to reports, Senate President Godswill Akpabio was initially tasked with delivering the ambassadorial offer to Ganduje. Akpabio allegedly suggested that the appointment was intended to provide Ganduje with protection from ongoing legal proceedings. Ganduje, however, was not receptive to the offer, expressing his belief that the charges against him are unsubstantiated and that he is too advanced in age for an ambassadorial role.
Diplomatic Posting Details
President Tinubu later personally communicated the ambassadorial plan to Ganduje, offering him the choice of postings in Africa, Asia, or Europe, with a preference for Chad, where Ganduje had previously served as the executive secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission. Despite this, concerns have been raised about Ganduje’s suitability for such a role due to his bribery scandal.
Political and Administrative Developments
In addition to the ambassadorial offer, a letter from President Tinubu’s chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, informed Ganduje of the president’s approval to conduct the APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and a mid-term non-elective national convention. The NEC meeting is scheduled between September 8 and 19, 2024.
Ganduje’s spokesman, Edwin Olofu, confirmed receipt of the letter regarding the NEC meeting but stated that he had not been briefed about the ambassadorial posting. Olofu also affirmed that the party had requested a date for the NEC meeting and received approval from the presidency.