Exclusive: Tinubu considers Ganduje for Ambassadorial role amid corruption trial

President Bola Tinubu has reportedly suggested an ambassadorial role for Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in a move that could see him posted to “any African country,” according to sources.

Ganduje was appointed as the APC’s national chairman on August 3, 2023, after the sudden resignation of his predecessor, Abdullahi Adamu. However, recent developments suggest that President Tinubu is considering reassigning Ganduje amid ongoing corruption charges against him.

Reliable sources, who requested anonymity, revealed that President Tinubu tasked Senate President Godswill Akpabio with delivering the news to Ganduje. The offer, according to these sources, is intended to shield Ganduje from the corruption trial he is currently facing in Kano State.

Ganduje has been embroiled in controversy since 2018 when videos allegedly showing him accepting bribes went viral, leading to public outrage and ridicule. He, along with his wife, son, and other associates, is currently facing charges related to a corruption case involving over ₦50 billion.

Despite the offer, sources indicate that Ganduje was not pleased with the proposal, reportedly dismissing the charges as “tissues of lies” and expressing confidence in his ability to clear his name in court.

“Is this the way the president will reward my loyalty? Besides, I am too old to go for ambassadorial posting. All the charges are tissues of lies, and I will win my case in court,” Mr Ganduje was quoted as replying to Mr Akpabio.

According to the sources, the president later personally informed Mr Ganduje of the diplomatic posting plan and offered him to choose “any country in Africa”.

But other sources said the president offered him three choices in Africa, Asia and Europe.

A source close to the APC chairman said the president’s preference was to post him as Nigerian ambassador to Chad, having served in Ndjamena as the executive secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission between 2009 and 2011.

“You know the president is looking for a way to pacify him. This is the reason why he allowed him to choose among the three countries, but the president’s preference is Chad.

“But the problem is that no serious Asian or European country would overlook Ganduje’s dollar video and corruption charges to accept him as ambassador.

“However, Ganduje is lobbying hard to retain his seat, going from pillar to post and complaining bitterly to Chief Bisi Akande about the president’s decision to ‘retire’ him from politics. But if the worse comes to worst, Ganduje will choose Morocco over Chad,” the inside source said.

News360 Nigeria gathered that a few days after Mr Tinubu communicated the decision to Mr Ganduje, a letter was sent to the APC chairman notifying him of the president’s approval to conduct the National Executive Committee, NEC meeting and mid-term non-elective national convention.

The letter, dated August 9 and signed by the president’s chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, informed Mr Ganduje of the president’s availability for the NEC meeting to be held at a date between September 8 and 19, 2024.

“I am directed by the President to inform you that he has granted approval for the scheduling and convening of a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party. The President has confirmed his availability for the NEC meeting between the dates of 8th September 2024 and 19th September, 2024.

“Furthermore, the President has directed that the agenda for the NEC meeting include, among other things, the consideration of a date for the non-elective National Convention to be held before the end of the year 2024.

“Kindly liaise with the undersigned regarding any developments or necessary clarifications related to the scheduling of the meeting. Please ensure that any changes or updates are communicated promptly to facilitate smooth coordination,” Mr Gbajabiamila said in the letter.

Contacted for comment on the matter, Mr Ganduje’s spokesman, Edwin Olofu, said he was not briefed about the ambassadorial posting by his principal.

He, however, confirmed the president’s approval to hold the party’s NEC meeting and non-elective convention.

“I’m not aware of this, my boss hasn’t briefed me.

“But I’m aware that the party wrote to the Mr President requesting a date to hold the NEC meeting, and correspondence has been received from the Presidency that 12 September 2024 is approved for the NEC meeting, while the non-elective convention has equally been approved towards the end of the year,” Mr Olofu said.