The immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, has explained his absence during President Bola Tinubu’s condolence visit to Kano on Friday, attributing it to a pre-arranged personal engagement in London.
Naija News reports that Ganduje, who resigned from his position as APC National Chairman before the President’s visit, clarified through his former Chief of Staff, Malam Muhammad Garba, that his absence had nothing to do with illness or any form of political slight.
A statement issued by Garba on Saturday dismissed rumours that the former Kano governor was either deliberately excluded from the President’s itinerary or was battling health issues.
According to Garba, Ganduje had travelled to London on a long-scheduled personal engagement, which unfortunately clashed with Tinubu’s condolence trip to the Dantata family in Kano.
Garba said, “The visit by President Tinubu to Kano to condole with the family of the late business mogul, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, was communicated to Dr Ganduje.
“But despite frantic efforts to reschedule his flight and itinerary, the logistics made it impossible for him to return in time.
“Dr Ganduje made every effort to adjust his plans but was unable to do so.”
Garba also disclosed that despite being out of the country, Ganduje maintained active communication with top APC leaders in Kano, including the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, and the APC State Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas.
“Dr Ganduje remained in constant communication virtually every hour or two with key party leaders to ensure smooth coordination for the President’s visit,” he noted.
Addressing speculations about a possible rift between the President and Ganduje following his resignation as APC National Chairman, Garba maintained that there was no strain in their relationship.
“Dr Ganduje’s resignation as APC National Chairman in no way affects his cordial and longstanding relationship with President Tinubu, a bond built over years of mutual respect and political alignment,” he said.
Reaffirming the loyalty of the Kano APC chapter, Garba said the party in the state remains fully united and committed to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The APC in Kano remains fully united, loyal, and committed to the vision and leadership of President Tinubu,” he assured.
President Tinubu was in Kano on Friday to pay condolence visits to the families of the late elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, and late Sheikh Nasiru Kabara
The post Ganduje Explains Absence During Tinubu’s Kano Visit, Addresses Relationship With President appeared first on Naija News.