The Coalition of North-Central Leaders within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed its support for former Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, to succeed Senator Abdullahi Adamu as the immediate past National Chairman of the party.
This endorsement comes shortly after APC chairmen from seven North-West states also backed Ganduje during a meeting in Kaduna just two days ago.
The alleged endorsement is believed to be influenced by President Bola Tinubu and the APC governors, which has stirred mixed reactions among party members.
Some party chieftains are of the opinion that the next national chairman should come from Nasarawa State in accordance with the party’s zoning arrangement, while others support Ganduje as the preferred candidate.
Addressing reporters in Abuja on Thursday, the Convener of the coalition, Okpokwu Ogenyi, clarified that although the current zoning formula designates the position for their region (North-Central), the APC North-Central leaders have willingly decided to relinquish the office of the national chairman in favor of Ganduje.
He said; “We the people of North Central have occupied national chairmanship position of all ruling parties in the Country and have done well in terms of party administration. We are proud to say that a chairman from the zone led the party to victory in the last residential election.
“Today, our father who was the National Chairman of the APC has resigned his position thereby making the post vacant. As you maybe aware, there is no vacuum in governance so a competent hand must be employed in order to over our party forward.
“It is on this note that we wholeheartedly endorse Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as the National Chairman of our great Party, APC. Abdullahi Ganduje is a party man who has distinguished himself as an intellectual of high repute.
“As North Central Youths, one maybe tempted to ask why we should not clamour for the position to be retained in the zone. The truth is, we have contributed our quota and wish other zones to be also given the opportunity to participate in the Party’s administration. We the North Central people are far above trivialities, greed and selfishness when it comes to national interest.”
