El-Rufai Skips APC Caucus and NEC Meetings as Party Dismisses Ganduje Ouster Rumors

As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepared for its highly anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Wednesday, the party firmly denied rumors suggesting that President Bola Tinubu might ask national chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, to step down.

The party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, dismissed the speculation in an interview, clarifying that the meeting was purely routine and not an elective one.

“There is nothing like that. The NEC meeting is routine and not elective. We have been trying to hold it since September last year, and it is now confirmed that we will have a national caucus on Tuesday and an NEC meeting on Wednesday,” Basiru explained.

He also outlined the agenda for the meetings, which would cover discussions on the party’s 2025 projects, a review of financial statements in accordance with electoral laws, a briefing on the upcoming re-registration exercise, and updates on the Progressive Institute—APC’s intellectual and ideological think tank.

However, former Kaduna State governor and ex-Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, confirmed that he would not attend the NEC meeting. Speaking on Arise Television’s PrimeTime show on Monday night, El-Rufai cited a lack of proper notification as the reason for his absence.

“Unfortunately, I will not be attending the NEC meeting. I will be heading back to Cairo, where I spend most of my time. I didn’t receive adequate notice. The party’s constitution requires a 21-day, or at least a 14-day, notice for such national organ meetings. I don’t believe I’ve received such notice,” he stated.

He continued, “If it has been sent, I did not receive the invitation two or three weeks ago. So, I have my plans, and I’ll be leaving tomorrow. But many of my friends will attend, so I’ll be informed of what was discussed.”

The upcoming NEC meeting will mark Dr. Ganduje’s first since becoming the leader of the National Working Committee. His appointment, along with that of Senator Basiru as National Secretary, was confirmed during the last NEC meeting held on August 3, 2023, at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

The meeting will be chaired by President Tinubu, with Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President Dr. Godswill Akpabio, past and present APC governors, former and current Speakers of the House of Representatives, state party chairmen, the National Working Committee, and other key stakeholders in attendance.