The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has intensified its campaign for the party’s national chairmanship, leveraging the recent resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje to renew its call for fairness, justice, and equity. The Forum argues that the North-Central region deserves to fill the vacancy, citing the existing zoning arrangement that initially allocated the position to the region before Senator Abdullahi Adamu’s tenure was prematurely cut short. This renewed appeal underscores the Forum’s persistent belief that the North-Central should be allowed to complete the term originally intended for the region. Their argument centers on restoring the balance disrupted by the previous change in leadership, advocating for a return to the original plan. The Forum maintains that appointing a national chairman from the North-Central is not merely a matter of fulfilling a quota, but a crucial step towards solidifying party unity and recognizing the region’s significant contributions to the APC’s electoral successes.
The Forum emphasizes its past efforts to secure the chairmanship, highlighting its legal challenge to Abdullahi Ganduje’s appointment. Despite suspending their agitation after Ganduje’s ratification by the National Executive Committee (NEC), they now see his resignation as a prime opportunity to redress perceived imbalances. They credit Ganduje for his achievements, specifically mentioning the influx of high-profile defectors to the APC during his brief leadership. This acknowledgment of Ganduje’s success serves to contextualize their current demand, framing it not as a criticism of Ganduje but as a necessary corrective measure to uphold the principle of zoning and ensure equitable representation within the party’s leadership structure. The Forum’s narrative portrays their renewed call for the chairmanship as a continuation of their longstanding commitment to fair representation, not an opportunistic grab for power in the wake of a leadership change.
Beyond the zoning arrangement, the North-Central APC Forum underscores the region’s electoral significance. They highlight that the North-Central delivered the third-highest vote count for President Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, trailing only the South-West and North-West regions. This electoral contribution, they argue, demonstrates the region’s political weight and justifies their claim to the national chairmanship. Furthermore, they point to the fact that the North-Central currently boasts the highest number of APC governors among all geopolitical zones, controlling five out of the six states, with ongoing efforts to sway the remaining state, Plateau, towards the ruling party. This dominance in gubernatorial positions, the Forum contends, further strengthens their argument for leadership representation at the national level.
The Forum’s appeal is directed at President Tinubu, who they describe as a “listening President,” and other key stakeholders within the APC. They urge the acting National Chairman, Ali Dalori, to convene an NEC meeting promptly to elect a substantive chairman from the North-Central region. This call for swift action underscores the Forum’s belief that the matter requires immediate attention to prevent further delays and ensure a smooth transition of power. They portray the current situation as a “golden opportunity” for the party to address the perceived injustices faced by the region and solidify its commitment to inclusivity and fair representation. By addressing their appeal directly to President Tinubu, the Forum seeks to leverage his influence and authority within the party to achieve their objective.
The Forum stresses that their demand is not based on entitlement but on the North-Central’s proven ability to deliver electoral victories and contribute significantly to the party’s strength. They argue that the region possesses a wealth of capable leaders who can steer the APC to success in the 2027 general elections. This assertion aims to dispel any notion that their claim to the chairmanship is based solely on regional representation, emphasizing instead their capacity to contribute strategically to the party’s overall goals. By highlighting the region’s leadership potential, they aim to present a compelling case for their representation at the highest level of the party structure.
In conclusion, the North-Central APC Forum’s campaign for the national chairmanship is a multi-faceted argument rooted in principles of fairness, historical precedent, electoral significance, and leadership capability. They portray their call for the chairmanship as a continuation of a long-standing struggle for equitable representation, not a opportunistic move. The Forum believes that granting the North-Central the chairmanship is not only a matter of righting past wrongs but also a strategic decision that will strengthen the party and position it for future electoral success. Their appeal to President Tinubu and other key stakeholders reflects their belief that this decision is crucial for the party’s unity and future prospects. By emphasizing their region’s electoral contributions and leadership potential, the Forum aims to convince the party that entrusting them with the chairmanship aligns with the APC’s best interests.
