Barely a week after news broke of his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has been appointed Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, sparking intense political chatter nationwide.
The announcement, confirmed on Thursday, July 11, 2025, by the Presidency through a statement signed by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, has left both supporters and critics stunned. The decision comes amid unresolved controversy surrounding Ganduje’s recent political silence, reported APC exit, and his ongoing legal issues tied to corruption allegations.
Political observers believe Ganduje’s sudden elevation to a strategic aviation oversight role—despite his embattled status—signals President Tinubu’s commitment to keeping loyalists within his circle of influence. FAAN, a key parastatal under the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, oversees airport operations and infrastructure nationwide.
Sources within the presidency hinted that the move was part of Tinubu’s wider strategy to consolidate political control over sensitive institutions, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections. Ganduje’s appointment, they say, is not just compensation but a deliberate power play to retain influence over the North-West bloc.
Civil society groups and aviation stakeholders have reacted with mixed feelings. Some have raised concerns over Ganduje’s suitability for the role, given his limited experience in aviation and the shadow of past controversies, including viral videos allegedly showing him receiving cash bribes—a scandal that remains under investigation.
This latest development follows Ganduje’s removal as APC National Chairman and his widely circulated fallout with key party factions. His next political move had remained unclear until now, making his FAAN appointment a powerful statement of political rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, Nigerians have taken to social media to express outrage, amusement, and confusion, with hashtags like #GandujeFAAN, #TinubuAppointments, and #NigeriaPolitics trending across platforms as users debate the implications of this strategic yet polarizing move.
