North Central Has not Endorsed Any APC National Chairmanship Candidate, Say Stakeholders

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Some stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the North-Central region have revealed why they are yet to endorse any of the candidates running for the position of National Chairman of the party from the zone.

The chieftains, who spoke on Saturday in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital said the zone was desirous of producing the next Chairman of the party but yet to decide on who to endorse for the position.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim, a former member of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, maintained that the stakeholders in the region will soon meet to choose one out of the contenders.

“We have not declared support for anybody. I say that with all sense of responsibility. It is for the good of the party as a whole that we take our time and assess the candidates critically on the strength of what they bring to the table. If anybody tells you that we have a consensus candidate yet, it is a lie. In fact, we are yet to meet, let alone decide it. We don’t want to rush the process.”

“In all fairness, this region has been marginalised over the years and we think fielding the next chairman of the party, the largest party in Nigeria, is the best way to start the recovery process. But in spite of that, we will look before we leap”

Addressing news men, Ibrahim David Ajokwu from Kogi South Senatorial District, explained that the zone would not settle for less this time in the choice of those that will represent it at party level.

“We have agreed as a zone that we would not settle for less this time. The person that will be endorsed from the zone is going to be an ambassador of the zone. So, anything short of a capable hand, with strong leadership abilities and a clean slate is never going to be an option for us for a consensus arrangement. “

“I tell everyone that the next Chairman of the party will shape the face of the party in 2023 and we cannot afford to make mistakes,” said Ajokwu.

He added; “When the time is ripe, the North Central will announce its candidates. Let’s not jump the gun. We are making consultations and are optimistic that the odds will work in our favour.”

All hands are on deck as the Chairmanship race in the APC gathers momentum. The next leader of the party will be determined at the upcoming national convention.

From the calibre of contestants, majorly northerners, the race is basically between the old and new ranks of the party.

The chieftains are however irrevocably committed to throwing its support behind a candidate of unblemished record, one who is not involved in any financial scandal and thus, won’t face the prospect of being dragged in and out of court after his emergence as party chairman.

Amongst the contestants are former Governors including; Abdulaziz Yari, Zamfara; Kashim Shettima, Borno; Tanko Al-Makura, Nasarawa;
Sen Ali Modu Sheriff, Borno and a few others. On the other side are Kwara-born politician Saliu Mustapha and Sunny Moniedafe, a chieftain of the APC chapter in Adamawa State.

The party, at the convention, will have to choose the successor of Governor Mai Buni, the caretaker chairman of APC, from the two groups.