Three critical issues prompted the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to schedule an early National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, findings have shown.

APC had, two days ago, pushed the National Vice Chairman (North) of the party, Ali Dalori, to step into the National Chairman seat, formerly occupied by Abdullahi Ganduje, who quit under controversial circumstances.

Dalori assumed office in accordance with Article 14 of the APC constitution and the directive of President Bola Tinubu, to whom he has pledged loyalty.

However, checks by The Guardian revealed that some leaders of the party became apprehensive when it dawned on them that Dalori, the Maiduguri-based car dealer-turned-politician, is a loyalist of Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Barring last-minute changes, APC may pick its substantive national chairman on July 24 this year, said APC Deputy National Secretary, Festus Faunter, at the end of the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting presided by Dalori.

It was gathered that contrary to reports, Ganduje hastily resigned when he learnt of the President’s disposition without using the anticipated two days to regularise his exit, thus making it imperative that the NVC (North) should fill the vacuum.

But not long after the party recognised Dalori as acting chairman, some party hawks that are averse to Shettima’s continued candidacy beyond 2027 sent words across that apart from being the VP’s man, Dalori, who served two terms as Chairman of Konduga Local Council in Borno State, lacked the capacity and neutrality expected of the office.

“It was discovered that (Dalori) does not possess the capacity to manage the affairs of APC and that he would not show the neutrality expected of the occupant of that office. Then, Ganduje’s sudden resignation created the opportunity to have another look at the zoning arrangement.

“I can authoritatively tell you that the above three issues impelled the party leadership to convene a NEC meeting as soon as possible,” a source in the Presidency confided in The Guardian.

The source noted that the way the opposition politicians were going about the coalition and the utterances of the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, convinced APC leaders to rethink some of its strategies.

According to him, although some members of President Tinubu’s cabinet may be relieved in the ongoing strategic reviews, the President is conscious that the country is in desperate need of political stability, which can allow good governance.

Dalori’s assumption of office followed the acceptance of Ganduje’s resignation letter by NWC members at the APC secretariat in Abuja, yesterday.

In his acceptance speech, he assured the party of his dedication to his new role with transparency, inclusiveness and unity of purpose.

He said ahead of the 2027 poll, it behoves the NWC to strengthen internal processes, reconnect with the grassroots, and re-energise the party structure across all levels.

Faunter, however, noted that it won’t be surprising if the NEC decides to ask Dalori to stay on in an acting capacity.

He said: “The NEC is the apex body of the party. So, whatever we do now, including the endorsement of the national chairman, must also receive the blessings of the NEC. During the meeting, if they so desire, that a new chairman is nominated, we’ll also accept such nomination and then wait for the convention where the final position of the party will be made as far as the substantive chairman is concerned.”

The Plateau State-born politician explained that among issues deliberated at the NWC parley were preparations for our by-elections in some of the states where members of the National Assembly, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Houses of Assembly had died or had resigned.

He assured that the party would roll out plans as far as congresses in states, wards and local council for the election are concerned in due course.