The North Central Zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally adopted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its sole candidate for the 2027 presidential race.
The motion for adoption was moved by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, during the North-Central Zonal Congress held in Lafia on Wednesday.
Addressing the gathering, Senator Akume stressed the strategic importance of the North Central region in the country describing it as the “glue” of the nation.
Drawing an inspiration from the elder statesman, Late Chief Solomon Lar, Akume noted that while Nigeria identifies with three major ethnic groups, it is the North Central that holds the fabric of the country together.
”You have every reason to be proud of yourself because you have done so much for this country to maintain its territorial integrity, to maintain its unity. You have never been found wanting in any national assignment. Nigerians are proud of you and we must be proud of ourselves,” Akume said.
The SGF lauded the performance of the APC-led governments across the zone, specifically citing the “quantum quality of work” being executed by governors in Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Niger, and Kwara states.
He called on party members to intensify grassroots mobilisation and voter registration and warned against complacency, urging the zone to “toil and sweat” to ensure a landslide victory that would be “huge and bold.”
The SGF also commended the ministers from the region for serving with what he termed “marked distinction.”
Moving the motion Akume said, “I want to use this occasion to move this motion for adoption of President Tinubu as our sole candidate for 2027.”
”With the array of people I have seen here, I have no doubt in my mind that when the votes are finally counted in 2027, North Central will provide the highest number of votes for Bola Tinubu”.
The motion was immediately seconded by the host Governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Governor Sule attributed the infrastructural and developmental strides in the states to the President’s economic reforms.
”If there is anybody that should second this motion, it should be the governors who are able to carry out the kind of work we are carrying today as a result of the reforms by President Bola Tinubu’s economic agenda.
“As a result of these reforms, we have been able to carry out this work some of us without borrowing a penny from the bank,” Governor Sule stated.
Presenting the guidelines of the election, the Chairman of the North Central Zonal Organising Committee, Hon Funsho Olumoko, revealed that the National Working Committee has authorised a specific procedural framework in accordance with the Electoral Act.
He explained that the approach, which was previously utilised at the ward, local government, and state levels, involves reaching a consensus through voice votes and affirmations.
Olumoko said that the method was intended to foster unity and streamline the selection process for zonal leadership while remaining consistent with established party guidelines.
The chairman assured all participants that any grievances or concerns arising from the congress would be addressed through the established internal procedures of the party.
On his part, APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda represented by the deputy National Secretary of the party, Prof Abdulkarim Kana commended the region’s unwavering loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, noting that this commitment serves as a bedrock for national stability and administrative success.
Yilwatda congratulated the newly inaugurated zonal officers, characterizing their emergence as a call to service rather than a factional victory.
He urged the new leadership to prioritize party unity and initiate reconciliation efforts with any aggrieved members to maintain organizational cohesion.
The Voice reports that the newly elected officials are; Alhaji Mu’azu Bawa Rijau ( Zonal Chairman, Dr Esther Alu (Zonal Woman Leader) , Hon Yakubu Adamu (Secretary General) and Zubair Aliyu Rogun ( Zonal Youth Leader).
