Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has provided an explanation for his unavoidable absence during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Kano.

President Tinubu was in Kano on Friday, his first visit since assuming office. The visit was to pay condolences to the family of late Business mogul, Alh. Aminu Dantata.

Observers attributed Ganduje’s conspicuous absence at the event to power play at the top echelon of the ruling APC that eventually led to the resignation of the ex-Kano governor from the plum seat in the party.

Even with the absence of Ganduje, the President was received by Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibril, state All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, former deputy Governor, Nasiru Gawuna, Ministers of FCT (State), Dr. Mariya Bunkure, Housing (State) Abdullahi Ata and other top members of APC from Kano.

However, the explanation that emerged sooner indicated the former Kano governor was said to be absent due to a pre-scheduled personal engagement in London, which commenced five days after he resigned from the party’s leadership.

In a statement on Saturday, his aide, Malam Muhammad Garba, said Ganduje had been in London in advance of Tinubu’s visit, contrary to media speculation suggesting that he was either unwell or had deliberately excused himself.

Garba explained that the visit by President Tinubu was communicated to Ganduje, but unfortunately, despite frantic efforts to reschedule his flight and itinerary, the logistics made it impossible for him to return in time.

However, despite being abroad, Ganduje remained in constant communication, virtually every hour or two, with key party leaders, including the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, and the APC Kano State Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, to ensure smooth coordination for the President’s visit, Garba said.

He emphasised that Ganduje’s resignation as APC National Chairman in no way affects his cordial, longstanding relationship with President Tinubu, a bond built over years of mutual respect and political alignment.

“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.