By Nkechi Eze
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, on Wednesday led delegates from the North Central geopolitical zone to affirm President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement was made at the North Central Zonal Congress of the APC held in Lafia, where party leaders, elected officials, and stakeholders gathered to deliberate on the party’s direction ahead of the next electoral cycle.
According to a statement by Yomi Odunuga, Akume formally moved the motion for President Tinubu’s adoption as the party’s sole candidate, which was seconded by the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule. The motion received a resounding endorsement from delegates, marking a significant show of unity within the zone.
The congress attracted a high-profile attendance, including governors from the North Central region, former governors and their deputies, serving members of the National and State Assemblies, ministers, and a broad spectrum of current and former political office holders.
Addressing the gathering, Akume described the endorsement as a reflection of the confidence reposed in Tinubu’s leadership and ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s economy and strengthen national cohesion.
He noted that, as the leader of the APC in the North Central, he bears the responsibility of fostering unity and ensuring strategic alignment among party stakeholders across the region.
“The North Central has done so much for this country to preserve the country’s unity. Nigerians are proud of you, and we must also be proud of ourselves,” he said. “With the politicians I have seen here today, North Central will provide the highest number of votes among the six geopolitical zones.”
Akume emphasised that the region remains firmly committed to the ideals of the APC and will continue to support policies aimed at economic recovery, infrastructure development, and national integration. He urged party members to close ranks and work collectively to consolidate the party’s achievements ahead of the 2027 elections.
He further argued that early consensus on the party’s presidential candidate would give the APC a strategic advantage, enabling it to focus more on governance and service delivery.
The endorsement was greeted with widespread applause, as delegates described the move as a decisive step toward strengthening party cohesion, ensuring continuity in leadership, and positioning the APC for electoral success in 2027.
