Politics

North-Central APC Endorses Al-Makura As National Chairman

ByTitilope Adako

PublishedJune 29, 2025

The North-Central All Progressives Congress Forum has endorsed former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, for the role of APC National Chairman.

The endorsement was announced in a statement on Sunday by the Forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, who said it followed wide consultations among stakeholders in the region.

The Forum stressed that the position should return to the North-Central zone in line with the party’s zoning arrangement, which had previously produced Senator Abdullahi Adamu—also from Nasarawa State—as National Chairman in 2022.

Al-Makura’s backing came barely 24 hours after the Forum publicly demanded the return of the chairmanship slot to the zone.

According to the statement titled ‘Why Al-Makura Deserves to be APC National Chairman’, “After extensive deliberations among stakeholders in the North-Central region, the North-Central APC Forum has decided to endorse Senator Tanko Al-Makura for the position of APC National Chairman.

“This is in furtherance of our demand that the position of National Chairman should return to the North-Central in line with the APC’s zoning arrangement.”

The Forum noted that Al-Makura, who hails from Nasarawa State like his predecessor, represents the Congress for Progressive Change bloc—one of the three legacy parties that merged to form the APC.

“Senator Tanko Al-Makura was a two-term governor whose clout and experience are undeniable assets. Both former and sitting governors regard him as one of their own. As a former Senator, he is also seen as integral to the legislature.

“Additionally, during the APC National Convention in 2022, he was among the chairmanship aspirants who graciously accepted the consensus decision that brought Abdullahi Adamu to the role of National Chairman,” the statement partly read.

The Forum praised Al-Makura’s loyalty to the party and the president.

The statement added, “His rich political experience spans decades. He was Youth Leader in Plateau State for the National Party of Nigeria in 1979, State Secretary in Plateau State for the National Republican Convention in 1989, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party in 1999, Governor under the Congress for Progressive Change in 2011, a pioneer member and signatory to the merger that formed the APC in 2013, and an APC Senator in 2019.

“Senator Al-Makura’s unwavering loyalty to the APC and President Bola Tinubu is commendable. He has always been a unifying figure within the party and has consistently worked to strengthen its leadership and internal cohesion.”

The Forum recalled his past party assignments and emphasised their relevance to the position he now seeks.

“He chaired the Ekiti State APC Primary Election Committee in 2018, which produced former Governor Kayode Fayemi. He also chaired the North-East Zone Reconciliation Committee in 2018 and was a member of the Baba Bisi Akande Reconciliation Committee in 2020.

“The Forum also recalled Al-Makura’s loyalty earlier in 2025, when he played a key role in ensuring the CPC bloc remained committed to the APC and to President Tinubu, despite discussions by some members about joining the opposition coalition.

“As someone living with a disability himself, he has been a strong ally of the community,” the statement concluded.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.