Chief George Agbakahi, a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has stated that efforts should not be wasted on finding a new national chairman to succeed Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who recently stepped down for health reasons. During an interview with reporters in Abuja on Thursday, Agbakahi, who leads the Tinubu Support Organization in the South-East and is part of the APC’s Presidential Campaign Council’s Media and Publicity Directorate from the 2023 election, emphasized that the National Chairman plays a crucial role in collaborating with the national working committee (NWC) to foster unity and develop strategies for election victories. He remarked, “The importance of a proactive National Chairman for a political party worldwide cannot be overstated, as a party that fails in selecting the right person for this role often faces significant consequences during elections. Given the current political climate, the 2027 General Election is approaching quickly, and timely succession planning can help avoid mistakes.” He mentioned that conflicts and struggles for power within the party in certain states necessitate the need for the party to promptly establish a culture of efficient internal conflict management and succession planning, prioritizing the stabilization of the party’s internal dynamics. “This process needs to begin immediately.” The APC has managed to maintain its position following the 2023 General Election. Although this might seem like a cause for celebration, it’s important to recognize that the internal conflicts that arose during the election period are still present. Additionally, the ramifications of a surge in defections to the party in various states, such as Nassarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Lagos, Kaduna, Abia, Ondo, Kano, Borno, Osun, Benue, Adamawa, Delta, Zamfara, Bayelsa, and Akwa-Ibom, are bubbling beneath the surface. There are clear signs that the internal disputes in some of these states could continue until the 2027 elections unless decisive action is taken to address them. Although efforts are being made to tackle these issues and unify the party before 2027, some dissatisfied members remain resolute, complicating the resolution process. It is evident that there is much work ahead. “This responsibility falls squarely on the incoming substantive National Chairman,” he remarked. The APC leader emphasized that as the search commences for a successor to Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who has significantly contributed to the party’s growth and stability, it is crucial to select someone who possesses the necessary experience and credibility, along with traits such as trustworthiness, independence, focus, dynamism, and bravery. “The new leader must be capable of uniting members during challenging times and, more importantly, addressing internal conflicts among members without bias or favoritism, as this has emerged as one of the major challenges facing the party recently. What characteristics and personality traits are essential for this demanding role? What are the key qualifications and characteristics required for the ideal candidate for this position? “First and foremost, like our president, the individual must be an experienced political figure, inherently inclined towards politics. He or she should possess charisma, but more importantly, must earn the respect and trust of both the party and the nation’s political leadership,” he advised. Agbakahi elaborated that the new APC chairman needs to extend his reach beyond traditional bases, including power, religious, and geopolitical affiliations; additionally, he should advocate for, or at least resonate with, the grassroots support base of the party—youth, women, and those with disabilities—building on the achievements from the 2023 elections. He continued, stating, “The incoming chairman should naturally be a ‘father figure’ whom everyone sees as inclusive, while remaining principled, firm, and pragmatic when necessary. As Tony Blair expressed, the party chairman ought to identify a ‘third way,’ finding common ground between conflicting political views and beliefs.” The APC leader expressed enthusiasm about the fact that many potential candidates for the position, whether confirmed or rumored, predominantly hail from the North Central geopolitical zone. He argued that this region is, logically, morally, and legally, better positioned to provide the next Chairman, in accordance with the party’s Constitution and principles of justice, equity, and fairness.
