Former APC Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje consoles successor Nentawe Yilwatda over mother’s death, dismisses opposition claims of leadership crisis as ruling party eyes 2027 elections
By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Abuja, Nigeria – 27 August, 2025
The immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Kano State, His Excellency Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has paid a condolence visit to the current National Chairman of the party, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, at his Abuja residence.
Dr. Ganduje was received by Prof. Yilwatda and members of his family, where he expressed sympathy over the passing of the Chairman’s mother, Mama Lydia Yilwatda. He described the late matriarch as “a mother of faith, discipline, and values, who raised her children to live lives of service and responsibility.”
Speaking during the visit, Ganduje emphasised that his presence was both a personal show of solidarity and a reaffirmation of unity in the APC leadership.
“I came here not only to condole with my brother and friend over the loss of his beloved mother but also to make it clear that the APC remains one united family,” Ganduje said. “There is no rift between the past leadership and the present leadership, as some people are trying to insinuate. Our party is stable, focused, and ready to continue delivering for Nigerians.”
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Prof. Yilwatda, in his response, expressed gratitude to Ganduje for the condolence visit and his words of encouragement.
“I deeply appreciate His Excellency Dr. Ganduje for standing by me and my family at this moment of grief,” Yilwatda said. “His visit is a strong reminder that the APC is bound not just by politics, but by shared humanity and brotherhood. The unity of our party is intact, and together we will consolidate our gains as we look ahead to 2027.”
He further assured Nigerians that the APC leadership was focused on strengthening the party structure nationwide and on fulfilling its promises under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Merit Newspaper reports that political analysts have noted that Ganduje’s gesture effectively puts to rest speculations by opposition voices that the APC was experiencing internal fractures. In contrast, many opposition parties continue to battle with leadership tussles and factional crises that may undermine their performance in the 2027 general elections.
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For the APC, Ganduje’s visit has gone beyond condolence—it has become a powerful signal of continuity, stability, and preparedness to face the challenges of governance and politics in the years ahead.
