2027: North Central APC backs Tinubu as sole candidate

On Wednesday in Lafia, Nasarawa State, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North Central zone adopted President Bola Tinubu as their sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election during the party’s zonal congress, where party members, governors, lawmakers, and stakeholders gathered to decide on leadership and political direction.

The decision was taken at the Government House banquet hall in Lafia, where delegates from across the zone agreed through a voice vote to support Tinubu’s re-election bid. The meeting also produced new zonal executives using a consensus method already applied at ward, local government, and state levels.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, who leads the North Central Governors Forum, supported the move, linking the decision to the policies of the current administration, which he said had helped some states manage their finances without borrowing.

He also noted that more governors had joined the APC in recent times, increasing the party’s strength across the country.

Former Senate President George Akume, who is also Secretary to the Government of the Federation, moved the motion for Tinubu’s adoption. He described the North Central as important to the party, pointing out that APC controls all states in the zone, including Benue, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory.

He urged members not to relax but to continue working ahead of the next election.

The APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, represented at the event, praised the zone for its loyalty and called on party members to bring in more supporters and strengthen unity. He also invited delegates to attend the party’s national convention scheduled to hold in Abuja later in the week, where the party’s leadership and plans will be confirmed.

Former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu also spoke, expressing satisfaction with how the congress was conducted and calling for the return of all elected officials in the zone under the party in 2027.

The event brought together many party members, including governors, former governors, ministers, and delegates, making it one of the largest gatherings in the zone in recent times. The congress ended with party leaders urging unity and preparation for future elections.