The national chairman of Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has quit the position nearly five months after leading the party to a presidential victory at the polls.
Senator Abdullahi Adamu, a former governor of the central Nasarawa state, is said to have resigned along with the national secretary of the party, Senator Iyiola Omisore.
He became the head of the party just months before the February general elections.
There has been infighting within the party’ leadership since President Bola Tinubu assumed office nearly two months ago.
The chairman’s resignation may signal a huge crack in the party which could have a significant impact on the president’s cabinet appointments and governance.
It’s not clear what led to the chairman’s decision to quit. However, in the build-up to the APC presidential primaries he faced a backlash for his reported support of Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to run for head of state.
His action was strongly rejected by a league of governors from northern Nigeria who said they preferred Mr Tinubu.
Mr Tinubu eventually emerged as the party’s flagbearer and went on to win the presidential election.
After an emergency party meeting in Abuja on Monday, deputy national chairman Abubakar Kyari told journalists that no reason was given in the resignation letter submitted by the chairman.
Mr Kyari has subsequently taken over the leadership of the APC as the acting chairman.