Why Ganduje missed Tinubu’s visit to Kano — Ex-Chief of Staff

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, was unable to join President Bola Tinubu during his condolence visit to Kano on Friday due to a longstanding personal engagement in London, which began just five days after Ganduje resigned from the party’s leadership.

Dispelling speculation around his absence, Muhammad Garba, who served as Ganduje’s Chief of Staff, clarified that the former chairman was not sidelined or battling any health issues, contrary to some media reports.

Instead, Garba revealed, Ganduje had travelled to London for a private commitment that had been scheduled well in advance.

In a statement obtained by  PlatinumPost on Saturday, Garba explained that although President Tinubu had informed Ganduje about the Kano visit,  which was to offer condolences to the family of the late business mogul Aminu Dantata,  efforts to adjust travel plans proved futile.

“Dr. Ganduje made every effort to adjust his plans but was unable to do so,” Garba stated.

He said despite being overseas, Ganduje stayed actively engaged, maintaining regular communication with senior party figures such as Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin and APC Kano State Chairman Abdullahi Abbas to ensure the visit went smoothly.

Garba stressed that Ganduje’s exit from the party’s top post had not altered his close relationship with President Tinubu, describing it as one rooted in years of shared respect and political partnership.

“The APC in Kano,” he added, “remains fully united, loyal, and committed to the vision and leadership of President Tinubu,” he said, reaffirming the party’s strong support for the Renewed Hope Agenda.