By Ali Abare
The All Progressives Congress (APC), North Central Zone, on Wednesday, unanimously adopted President Bola Tinubu as its sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election, with governors, senators, former ministers and party stakeholders from across the zone closing ranks behind the President’s re-election bid.
The resolution was reached at the North Central Zonal Congress held at the late Aliyu Akwe Doma Banquet Hall, Government House, Lafia, Nasarawa State, an event that also produced new zonal executives for the party through a consensus process affirmed by voice vote and acclamation, in line with the approach adopted at the ward, local government and state levels of the congress exercise.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, who doubles as the Chairman North Central Governors Forum, seconded the motion adopting President Tinubu, citing the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration as the primary reason North Central governors were throwing their weight behind the President.
“If there is anybody that should support this motion, it should be the governors. As a result of the reforms of President Tinubu, we have been able to carry out our work — some of us — without borrowing a penny from the bank. For that reason, I second the motion for the North Central Zone to adopt President Bola Tinubu as our sole candidate,” Governor Sule said.
Governor Sule, who also welcomed his colleagues — governors of Benue, Kogi and Niger states, as well as deputy governors and representatives of other governors from the zone — expressed satisfaction with the peace and progress the party had recorded under the current national leadership.
He disclosed that at a meeting of APC governors in Lagos two days before the congress, the party now counted 31 governors among its ranks, a development he attributed to the Tinubu administration’s record of governance.
“Every time we have the meetings of APC governors, we continue to welcome new APC governors into our fold. We must commend Mr. President. We also commend the leadership of the party and we commend the members of the party for the good work that continues to attract all these other people,” he stated.
Former senator and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, formally moved the adoption motion before Governor Sule seconded it.
The SGF, who doubles as the APC North Central leader, reminded delegates of the zone’s strategic importance to the party’s national outlook, pointing out that APC governs all the states making up the zone — Benue, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory.
“We have been given a very special gift by Almighty God — governors who have performed and ministers who have performed exceptionally well,” he said.
Senator Akume urged party members not to rest on their oars ahead of 2027, warning that while victory was within reach, it must be worked for.
“Don’t sleep. You can win elections, but you must work and sweat as though you are contesting with your strongest opponent, so that our victory will be huge. Nobody would dispute our results,” he told delegates at the congress.
Akume also reinforced his confidence in the Tinubu administration’s economic direction, saying the country had recorded massive achievements under the President’s watch, even as he acknowledged that the reforms had not come without difficulty.
The APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, represented by the Deputy National Secretary, Prof. Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana, SAN, who delivered a message on his behalf.
In the message, Yilwatda commended the North Central Zone for its loyalty to the party and to the agenda of President Tinubu, describing that loyalty as “a bedrock of stability” for the administration.
He congratulated the newly elected zonal executives, reminding them that their emergence was not a victory of one faction over another but a call to service.
“Reach out to those who may feel left out, grow our numbers and our strength,” the national APC Chairman said.
He also used the occasion to formally invite all delegates and party stakeholders to the APC National Convention slated for March 27 and 28, 2026, at Eagle Square, Abuja.
“The North Central must show its strength in Abuja this weekend. We expect the same orderliness, enthusiasm and unity we have witnessed here today to be carried to Eagle Square,” he added.
Yilwatda explained that the purpose of the convention was to ratify the party’s national leadership and its roadmap for Nigeria’s future.
Former national chairman of the APC and first civilian governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu also spoke at the event, expressing satisfaction that the party had remained faithful to its constitution and guidelines in the conduct of the congress.
He called on every elected official sitting in the zone to be returned to the APC in 2027.
“It is our hope and our prayer, and we will work to ensure that we speak together,” Adamu said.
The Nasarawa State Chairman of the APC, Dr. Aliyu Bello, commended the outcome of the congress, describing it as smooth and without rancour.
“It was a unanimous decision by all members of the APC,” he said.
Dr. Bello appreciated President Tinubu for his commitment to internal democracy, which he said was evident in the party’s adoption of consensus and indirect elections as a method for the congress exercise.
Bello reminded the newly elected executives that their roles had changed fundamentally from that of delegates.
“You are no more delegates. You are party managers and party administrators. If you accept to be party administrators, go back and mobilise and win elections. Any official that accepts to manage the party must ensure that you win your local government, win your council, win your ward. If that does not happen, then you are not fit to be a party official,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the Chairman of the APC Zonal Organising Committee, Funsho Olumoko, in his welcome address, assured delegates and observers that the congress would be conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.
He explained that the National Working Committee of the party had approved a process of consensus, voice vote and affirmation — the same method used at all lower levels of the congress — and promised that any grievances arising from the process would be handled strictly in line with the party’s legal procedures.
“Your participation is vital, and your voice is your vote. Your vote is your voice. Please exercise it responsibly,” he told delegates.
The event brought together a large gathering of party faithful, governors, former governors, senators, ministers and grassroots delegates from Benue, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau and Kwara states, as well as the FCT, making it one of the most attended APC zonal gatherings in the North Central in recent times.
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