The North Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has declared a suspension of its calls for the ousting of Abdullahi Ganduje as the party’s National Chairman ahead of the impending National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
The forum, which has historically opposed Ganduje’s leadership, contended that the National Chairmanship should ideally be held by a representative from the North Central region, in accordance with the party’s amended constitution established in 2022.
In the past, the forum had resorted to various protest methods, including demonstrations, press conferences, consultations, and even legal action, taking Ganduje to a Federal High Court in Abuja in an attempt to overturn his appointment.
However, in a statement released on Wednesday, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, Chairman of the North Central APC Forum, clarified that their dissent was not rooted in personal animosity towards Ganduje.
Zazzaga highlighted that peace and reconciliation initiatives are now underway, underscoring the forum’s dedication to the party’s advancement and the upcoming NEC meeting.
He remarked, “For seven years, the North Central APC Forum has fought vigorously for the interests of our geopolitical zone. We have ardently advocated for political balance in our region, and we are grateful for the blessings we have received.”
He continued, “When the former National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, resigned in 2023, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje was chosen by the NEC to succeed him. Upon this announcement, we rallied to defend our region, insisting that his successor should originate from the North Central zone in line with our party’s constitution. We held press conferences, organized protests, and even initiated a lawsuit against Dr. Ganduje in a Federal High Court in Abuja.”
Zazzaga acknowledged the judicial defeat but expressed gratitude for their persistent efforts, stating, “We remained committed and resilient in our cause, and we give thanks to Allah for His wisdom.”
He affirmed, “We hold no personal grievances against Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; he is our national chairman. Our activism stems from the belief that the national chairmanship should have remained within the North Central region following Sen. Adamu’s departure.”
The forum has now reached a consensus that the NEC possesses the authority to make decisions regarding party zoning and elections. “We recognize that it was the NEC that elected Ganduje, and another NEC meeting is imminent, where further advantageous decisions for the party will be made as we gear up for the 2027 general elections.”
The North Central APC Forum has collectively decided to pause its agitation until after the NEC’s decisions, aligning with principles of fairness, equity, and justice to avoid unnecessary discord among political leaders from the North Central zone and other party leaders.
They believe that this pause will ensure that the North Central geopolitical zone receives a fair hearing at the NEC, allowing their political leaders the opportunity to negotiate specific benefits for the region.
