President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday received the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and the former Minister of Defense, Badaru Abubakar, in separate meetings at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting came a day after the former governor of Kano State and New Nigeria People’s Party chieftain, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, defected to the African Democratic Congress.
Alongside Kwankwaso, former deputy governor and APC candidate for governor of Kano in 2023 Nasiru Gawuna, former deputy governor of Kano State Aminu Gwarzo, and numerous supporters defected.
There were rumors that some state lawmakers intended to join Kwankwaso in the ADC.
At around 4:15 p.m., our correspondent saw Ganduje, wearing a green “Babanriga,” leave the State House, while Badaru left fifteen minutes later at 4:30 p.m.
Both men declined to discuss the reason for their visits with reporters.
Ganduje was the national chairman of the APC from August 2023 until his resignation in July 2025.
He was succeeded by Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who was formally elected as substantive national chairman at the party’s 4th Elective National Convention held on March 27, 2026, at Eagle Square, Abuja.
Before he was appointed party chairman, Ganduje served as Kano State governor from 2015 to 2023.
Badaru, a former governor of Jigawa State (2015-2023), served as defense minister in Tinubu’s cabinet before his recent resignation from the position.
The separate timing of their exits suggested the meetings were individual consultations rather than a joint session with the president.
Furthermore, the visits may be connected to ongoing party reorganization following the recent APC national convention and defection surge in Kano and Jigawa states.
It was reported that some chieftains of the party loyal to Badaru may be heading to the ADC in Jigawa State, following the crisis with Governor Umar Namadi.
Earlier on Tuesday, Ganduje had accompanied Governor Abba Yusuf and Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, to the House of Representatives to witness the defection of eight NNPP members of the House to the APC.
Speaking to newsmen after the event, Ganduje assured that Kano will deliver President Tinubu and Governor Yusuf in the 2027 elections.
He played down the defection of Kwankwaso to the ADC and assured that the party would be victorious in 2027.
Nigeria