Delegates from the North-Central states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday, converged on Lafia, Nasarawa State capital, for the Zonal congress of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Nasarawa gathering was a prelude to the party’s National Convention slated for March 27 and 28 in Abuja.
Delegates which comprises of governors, senators, serving and former ministers and other party stakeholders besieged the Aliyu Akwe Doma Banquet Hall, located at the Government House, Lafia with on key resolve -to affirm their collective resolve to return President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, formally moved the motion which was sealed by the chief host, Governor, Abdullahi Sule who also doubles as the Chairman North Central Governors Forum through.
A visibility elated Sule regaled the audience with the many reasons why there would be no alternative to Tinubu in 2027.
Key among such reasons, he explained, is the economic reform which has enabled the governors to embark on transformative projects across their respective states.
He said the president’s transformative and inclusive policies were the reasons why opposition governors have been flocking into the governing party.
“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,” he stated.
He said the President’s reforms have been reasons why governors elected on other platforms are defecting to the governing party.
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.
Sule welcomed fellow governors from Benue, Kogi and Niger States, as well as representatives of other states in the zone, commending their collective commitment to the growth of the party.
He further stressed the need for sustained collaboration among party stakeholders to consolidate on the gains recorded so far and ensure victory in future elections.
The governor maintained that unity among party members remained critical, urging leaders at all levels to continue working together to strengthen the APC’s structures across the zone.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of North Central governors to mobilise support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election, expressing confidence that the region would deliver overwhelming votes for the President.
Addressing the Congress, Akume who is the leader of the zons, said the President’s endorsement was a reflection of l the administration’s ongoing efforts to reposition the country.
He noted that as the North Central Leader of the party, he bears a responsibility to ensure unity and strategic alignment among party stakeholders in the region.
He emphasised that the zone remains committed to the ideals of the APC and will continue to support policies and programmes aimed at economic recovery, infrastructure development and national cohesion.
He called on party members across the zone to close ranks and work collectively to consolidate the party’s achievements ahead of the next general elections.
He stressed that early consensus on Tinubu’s candidacy would provide the APC with a strategic advantage and allow the party to focus on governance and delivery.
He also assured that the zone would give the president the highest votes among the six geopolitical zones in the country at the presidential poll.
