The Northcentral geopolitical zone, which has been agitating for the return of the National Chairmanship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), may have its wish granted today, according to credible party sources.
Under the APC’s original zoning arrangement, the Northcentral was allocated the chairmanship position, which was occupied by Senator Abdullahi Adamu until his resignation in August 2023. Following Adamu’s exit, former Kano State Governor Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje from the Northwest was appointed, sparking fresh agitation from the Northcentral for a return of the post to its original zone.
With Ganduje’s resignation on June 27, reportedly on health grounds, the push by Northcentral stakeholders intensified. Sources said key party organs, in meetings held between Tuesday and Wednesday night, may have reached a consensus to reinstate the chairmanship to the Northcentral.
A current minister is believed to be topping the shortlist of potential candidates. Among the most widely speculated names is that of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, a former APC governorship candidate in Plateau State. However, his selection has not been officially confirmed. Yilwatda, an engineer and academic, previously served as Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Benue State from July 2017 to December 2021.
Speaking to journalists after a closed-door meeting between APC governors and President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Villa, Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodimma, confirmed that today’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting would focus on appointing a new national chairman.
Uzodimma explained: “The party only advertised the NEC meeting. We did not advertise or send out letters for the caucus meeting. From all indications, tomorrow’s (today’s) meeting will be a very brief one that will centre on the appointment of National Chairman.”
He added that the NEC may delegate its powers to the National Working Committee (NWC) for the ratification of the schedule for congresses, standing committees, and updates on the party’s e-registration process.
He also disclosed that the governors used the opportunity to commiserate with the President over the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari and to discuss strategies to strengthen the party at all levels.
Responding to whether a consensus candidate would emerge today, Uzodimma was non-committal: “It is a NEC meeting; we cannot say what the outcome will be. When you come there tomorrow (today), you will see it.”
Meanwhile, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka announced that the NEC meeting, originally scheduled at the party’s secretariat, had been moved to the Presidential Villa for 10 a.m.
Ahead of the NEC meeting, APC governors, state chairmen, and members of the NWC held a series of strategic meetings late into the night. The sessions were led by PGF Chairman Uzodimma and attended by 22 governors and two deputy governors.
Attendees included Nigeria Governors’ Forum Chairman AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Uba Sani (Kaduna), and Umar Bago (Niger), among others.