Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), narrowly escaped a violent mob attack during a heated North-East zonal meeting in Gombe State on Sunday, 15 June, 2025.
The chaos erupted after Ganduje and other party leaders failed to endorse Vice President Kashim Shettima as part of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential ticket, infuriating supporters of the Borno-born politician.
The meeting, held at the Gombe State Government House, aimed to rally APC stakeholders, including governors, senators, and state chairmen, for the 2027 elections.
Tensions escalated when Comrade Mustapha Salihu, APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), endorsed Tinubu’s re-election bid but omitted Shettima’s name, prompting jeers and threats from the crowd.
Ganduje’s subsequent address, which also excluded Shettima, triggered a near-riot. Videos shared on social media captured delegates hurling insults and attempting to storm the stage, forcing security personnel to whisk Ganduje to safety amid a barrage of thrown objects.
The incident exposes deep rifts within the APC over the Tinubu-Shettima ticket, a cornerstone of the party’s 2023 victory, particularly in the North-East, which contributed over 1.2 million votes.
Shettima’s allies view the omission as a deliberate attempt to sideline him, fuelling speculation of internal power struggles.
While Deputy National Chairman Bukar Dalori later reaffirmed support for both Tinubu and Shettima, the damage was done, with some delegates accusing Ganduje of betraying the region’s interests.
The APC leadership has dismissed the incident as a “misunderstanding,” but analysts warn that alienating Shettima’s base could weaken the party’s grip on the North-East.
As 2027 approaches, the episode underscores the fragile balance of regional loyalties within the ruling party.
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