The former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, was absent during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s condolence visit to Kano on Friday because he had traveled to London for a personal engagement, according to his former Chief of Staff, Malam Muhammad Garba.
Garba said the trip had been scheduled shortly after Ganduje resigned from the party’s national leadership and was unrelated to illness or political exclusion, as speculated in some quarters.
“Contrary to reports claiming that Dr. Ganduje was either sick or sidelined from the President’s visit, the fact is that he had travelled to London for a personal matter arranged well in advance,” Garba said.
He said President Tinubu’s visit to condole with the family of the late business mogul, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, was communicated to Ganduje. However, efforts to reschedule his travel plans were unsuccessful.
“Dr. Ganduje made every effort to adjust his plans but was unable to do so,” Garba said.
Garba added that despite being outside the country, Ganduje remained in contact with party leaders in Kano during the President’s visit.
“He was in constant communication virtually every hour or two with Senator Barau Jibrin and the Kano APC Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas,” he said.
Garba also responded to claims of a rift between Ganduje and Tinubu, describing them as unfounded.
“His resignation from the APC leadership has not affected his relationship with President Tinubu. They have a longstanding political understanding and mutual respect,” he said.
Garba added that the party in Kano is not facing internal division.
“The APC in Kano remains united and committed to the leadership and vision of President Tinubu,” he said.
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