In a significant political development, the North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has officially adopted Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), as the leader of the party in the region.
The decision, made at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Thursday, positions Akume as the highest-ranking APC member in the North-Central zone.
The meeting was led by Saleh Zazzaga, Chairman of the North-Central APC Forum, who commended Akume for his leadership and efforts to unify the party.
In a statement released after the meeting, Zazzaga highlighted Akume’s contributions in bridging internal divides and positioning the party for a strong performance in the 2027 general elections.
The Forum praised Akume for his dedication to bringing together the diverse factions within the party and his focus on strengthening the APC in the North-Central ahead of 2027. “As the father of the party in the zone, Senator Akume has shown that he has a large heart by overlooking previous disagreements and embracing all stakeholders for the party’s greater good,” the statement read.
The North-Central APC Forum expressed confidence that Akume’s leadership would enable the party to present a unified front in the upcoming elections, with the goal of winning all elective positions in the region.
The Forum specifically mentioned the SGF’s efforts in resolving internal conflicts and fostering collaboration among various APC units, including the North-Central APC Governors Forum, the North-Central APC Senate Caucus, and the North-Central APC House of Representatives Caucus, among others.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, the Forum has set an ambitious target of securing six million votes for President Bola Tinubu. The region, which had previously pledged four million votes for Tinubu’s re-election, believes that with Akume at the helm, this goal is achievable. The Forum has made it clear that securing victory for Tinubu is their top priority in the coming election.
“We believe that with all stakeholders working under Senator Akume’s leadership, the North-Central can significantly contribute to President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027,” the statement said.
The Forum also called for full support for Akume from all party stakeholders, including Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, urging him to embrace Akume’s leadership for the overall progress of the party. The statement emphasized the importance of putting aside differences and working together to advance the party’s interests in the region.
“Governor Hyacinth Alia should accept Senator George Akume as the leader of the APC in the North-Central and collaborate with him for the party’s success,” the Forum urged. “We believe that both Akume and Governor Alia share a common goal of advancing the APC in the state, the North-Central, and the country at large.”
With Akume now firmly at the helm, the North-Central APC Forum is calling for unity across the board. The region’s strategic importance in Nigeria’s political landscape makes it a crucial battleground in the 2027 elections, and the APC is determined to ensure it secures a commanding presence in the North-Central.
The North-Central APC is now focused on maintaining harmony within its ranks and putting forward a strong, united front as it prepares for the upcoming election cycle.
