Muhammed Garba, chief of staff to former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, has denied speculation of a rift between the immediate past Kano State Governor and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Rumours of a rift between the duo emerged following the sudden resignation of Ganduje as the ruling party’s national chairman in June 2025, citing health issues.
But in an interview with Daily Trust, Garba stated that there is no cold war between his principal and President Tinubu.
He said: “You see people can say anything they want to say based on their understanding. But take it from me, there is nothing like a cold war between Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the president of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. People keep initiating issues that are not true and keep spreading fake news on issues they know nothing about.
“I don’t know why they want to force imaginary things into reality just for their own selfish political reasons.”
According to Garba, Ganduje’s resignation as APC’s national chairman has not affected his relationship with the president.
He also made it clear that Ganduje was not removed but voluntarily resigned after consulting with Tinubu to get his approval.
He said: “Let me make it clear to everyone, Ganduje wasn’t removed, he resigned after successfully completing almost 90% of the task given to him by Mr President as a party chairman, and this is not an exaggeration.
“The records are there for everyone to see. And as a human with a lot of experience in leadership, as a dedicated and committed leader, he had been up and doing. He needs to rest after a successful delivery of tasks given to him and also by extension looking at his age and exposure.
“He believes the party is now more stable than he met it and now that the party has attained a satisfactory level, it is time for him to rest a little and continue with his politicking activities.
“Let me also state here that Ganduje and President Tinubu are on good terms, in fact he had to consult him before he tendered his resignation and Mr President told him that if that is what he needs, he can’t stop him. That was how his resignation was accepted.”
According to Garba, there is nothing like a rift between them, adding that they are best of friends.
He said Ganduje and Tinubu are in constant touch with each other, stressing that the former Kano Governor has made it vividly clear that he is always ready to work towards the success of the President and the APC as a political party.
