A significant political development ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election unfolded on Wednesday as leaders of the North Central chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as their preferred presidential candidate.
The decision was reached at a zonal party congress held in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, where the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, led delegates and stakeholders in adopting the president as the zone’s consensus choice.
The endorsement drew support from a broad spectrum of party figures, including governors, ministers, and grassroots organisers. Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State seconded the motion, which was subsequently approved through a voice vote without opposition.
Addressing participants, Akume described the North Central as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s unity, noting its historical role in fostering cohesion across the country’s diverse groups. He said the region’s alignment behind Tinubu reflected both political responsibility and strategic foresight.
He also praised APC governors in the zone – covering Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, Kwara and Plateau states – as well as the Federal Capital Territory, attributing their performance to reforms introduced by the current administration.
Akume expressed confidence in the geopolitical zone’s electoral strength, predicting that it would deliver a strong showing for the party in 2027. However, he cautioned against complacency, urging party members to intensify grassroots mobilisation efforts in the coming months.
“We must work as though victory is not guaranteed,” he said, calling for sustained engagement with voters across the zone.
The SGF also pointed to what he described as improving economic indicators, including rising foreign reserves, as evidence of progress under the Tinubu administration.
In his remarks, Governor Sule linked increased fiscal capacity at the state level to federal policy reforms, noting that some states were now able to fund projects without borrowing.
Following deliberations, the congress formally ratified the endorsement, positioning the North Central as one of the earliest regions within the APC to publicly declare support for Tinubu’s potential re-election bid.
Wednesday’s move signals early consolidation within the ruling party as it prepares for the next electoral cycle, with the North Central aiming to play a decisive role in shaping outcomes at the national level.
