The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has strongly condemned the recent disruption of the APC North-East stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe State, where President Bola Tinubu was endorsed for a second term in 2027.
In a statement issued Monday by the Forum’s Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, the group described the chaos allegedly triggered by the omission of Vice President Kashim Shettima’s name during the endorsement as “regrettable and unwarranted,” stressing that internal party disagreements should not lead to public disorder.
The Forum expressed concern over the treatment of the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who was reportedly whisked away under tight security due to the incident. It defended Ganduje’s neutrality, stating that the selection of a running mate remains the exclusive prerogative of the President, not the party chairman.
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It further called on Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, to investigate the alleged involvement of non-state actors in the protest, warning that such precedents could undermine party unity and discipline.
Citing figures from the 2023 elections, the Forum challenged claims of marginalisation by the North-East, noting that the North-Central delivered over 1.76 million votes for President Tinubu more than the North-East’s 933,000 votes. It urged the party to consider electoral performance in future political decisions.
The group clarified that its position was not intended to ignite regional rivalry but to promote fairness and strategic thinking within the party. On the question of ticket configuration for 2027, the Forum said the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted in 2023 was a strategic move and may not apply again.
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Reaffirming its full support for President Tinubu’s re-election and Ganduje’s leadership, the Forum pledged to mobilize at least six million votes from the North-Central region in 2027.
“We urge members to rise above personal grievances and focus on unity, discipline, and progress. Now is the time to build bridges, not burn them,” the statement read.
