Tinubu Appoints Ganduje, Six Others to FAAN Board Weeks After APC Chairmanship Exit

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in what appears to be a political realignment move following his recent ouster.

TJ News Nigeria reports that Ganduje’s appointment comes just weeks after he was pressured to resign his position as APC National Chairman, amid ongoing negotiations to integrate former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, into the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ganduje and Kwankwaso, both former governors of Kano State, have been bitter political rivals for over a decade. Their strained relationship reportedly threatened the success of the planned defection, prompting President Tinubu to orchestrate Ganduje’s exit to clear the path for Kwankwaso’s entry into the APC.

Kano State, with its significant voter population, remains a critical battleground in national elections. Kwankwaso’s New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) currently controls the state, adding strategic importance to any political move that could shift its allegiance.

Appointment Announced in Video

The announcement of Ganduje’s new position was made public on Wednesday through a video shared by Gbenga Saka, media aide to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo.

Speaking during the inauguration of the new FAAN Board, Keyamo emphasized the weight of the board’s responsibilities, urging its members to see themselves not as symbolic heads but as central players in shaping the aviation sector.

“You are not merely figureheads; you are the architects of our aviation future,” Keyamo said. “The success of FAAN is not measured merely by financial growth but by the impact it has on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.”

He also charged them with upholding the Federal Airports Authority Act by ensuring safety, promoting sustainable development, improving passenger experience, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration.

FAAN Board Composition

Other members appointed to the board alongside Ganduje include:

• Bridget Gold – Secretary
• Olubunmi Kuku – Managing Director/CEO of FAAN
• Dorothy Duruaka
• Ahmed Ibrahim Suleiman
• Nasiru Muazu
• Omozojie Okoboh

Ganduje Promises Discipline and Compliance

In his remarks, Dr. Ganduje pledged to maintain institutional discipline and clarity of roles between the board, FAAN management, and the Ministry.

“We will assist in moving this ministry to the next level,” Ganduje said. “There is no doubt we will study the FAAN Act to understand our boundary, so we do not exceed it or fall short. We’re aware of the friction that often arises between boards and management; we will avoid such by playing our roles responsibly.”

His comments appeared aimed at setting a tone of cooperation amid reports of previous tensions between governing boards and executive management in several federal parastatals.

Political Implications

Ganduje’s new appointment is widely viewed as a political concession to pacify the former APC chairman after his forced resignation. While he lost his party leadership role, being named to the board of a key federal institution like FAAN signals that he remains a relevant figure within President Tinubu’s political calculations.

TJ News Nigeria learnt that the move may also help prevent potential backlash from Ganduje’s supporters in Kano, many of whom feel alienated by the growing closeness between Tinubu and Kwankwaso.

Political analysts believe that President Tinubu is laying the groundwork to consolidate power in strategic northern states by bridging divides between rival political blocs. Kano, in particular, delivered significant votes to the APC in the 2023 general elections and is expected to play a key role in future contests.