The immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, has explained his absence during President Bola Tinubu\u2019s condolence visit to Kano on Friday, attributing it to a pre-arranged personal engagement in London.<\/h2>\n
Naija News<\/b> reports that Ganduje, who resigned from his position as APC National Chairman before the President\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
A statement issued by Garba on Saturday dismissed rumours that the former Kano governor was either deliberately excluded from the President\u2019s itinerary or was battling health issues.<\/p>\n
According to Garba, Ganduje had travelled to London on a long-scheduled personal engagement, which unfortunately clashed with Tinubu\u2019s condolence trip to the Dantata family in Kano.<\/p>\n
Garba said, \u201cThe visit by President Tinubu <\/a>to Kano to condole with the family of the late business mogul, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, was communicated to Dr Ganduje.<\/i><\/p>\n \u201cBut despite frantic efforts to reschedule his flight and itinerary, the logistics made it impossible for him to return in time.<\/i><\/p>\n \u201cDr Ganduje made every effort to adjust his plans but was unable to do so.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cDr Ganduje remained in constant communication virtually every hour or two with key party leaders to ensure smooth coordination for the President\u2019s visit,\u201d<\/i> he noted.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cDr Ganduje\u2019s 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,\u201d<\/i> he said.<\/p>\n Reaffirming the loyalty of the Kano APC chapter, Garba said the party in the state remains fully united and committed to President Tinubu\u2019s Renewed Hope Agenda.<\/p>\n \u201cThe APC in Kano remains fully united, loyal, and committed to the vision and leadership of President Tinubu,\u201d <\/i>he assured.<\/p>\n