Akume leads North Central to endorse Tinubu for 2027

…SGF rallies zone, tasks stakeholders on massive voter mobilisation

A major political signal ahead of the 2027 general election emerged on Wednesday in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, led leaders and delegates of the North Central All Progressives Congress (APC) to adopt President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the party’s sole presidential candidate.

The endorsement, which took place at the North Central APC Congress, was unanimously ratified by stakeholders across the zone, including governors, ministers, party chieftains, and grassroots mobilisers.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State formally seconded the motion moved by Akume, drawing thunderous approval from the gathering, which culminated in a voice vote affirming Tinubu as the consensus candidate of the zone.

Akume, a former governor of Benue State and recognised leader of the APC in the North Central geo-political zone, said the endorsement was both a responsibility and a strategic necessity, given the region’s historic role in sustaining Nigeria’s unity and political stability.

Addressing the high-powered gathering, the SGF described the North Central zone as the “glue” that binds Nigeria’s diverse ethnic nationalities, recalling its sacrifices in preserving the country’s territorial integrity.

“This is one zone that can boast of APC’s progressive governance across the board – Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Plateau and by extension, the FCT; you have every reason to be proud of yourselves,” Akume declared.

He commended governors in the zone for what he termed “exceptional performance,” noting that their achievements reflect the impact of reforms initiated by the Tinubu administration.

According to him, ministers from the zone are equally “serving with marked distinction,” reinforcing the region’s strategic importance in the current administration.

Akume, who acknowledged the weight of his leadership role, said his mandate is to provide “purposeful direction” for the zone, especially as the country approaches another electoral cycle.

“Nigeria is moving towards another election cycle; with the calibre of politicians and grassroots leaders I have seen here, I have no doubt that when votes are counted in 2027, the North Central will deliver the highest number of votes,” he said.

He, however, cautioned against complacency, urging party faithful to intensify mobilisation efforts.

“Do not sleep, you must toil and sweat as if we control only 10 states, so that our victory will be huge and indisputable,” he charged.

The SGF also hinted at improving economic indicators under the Tinubu administration, referencing recent engagements with official data from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“Where we are today – $51 billion in foreign reserve is a huge mark of achievement and celebration,” he said.

In his remarks while seconding the motion, Governor Sule attributed the improving fiscal capacity of states to the policy reforms of the Tinubu administration, noting that some states are now executing projects without resorting to borrowing.

“As a result of these reforms, some of us are carrying out projects without borrowing a penny; for that reason, I second the motion to adopt President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as our sole candidate for 2027,” Sule said.

The motion was subsequently put to a voice vote and overwhelmingly endorsed, with no dissenting voice recorded.

The congress, which had in attendance governors from across the North Central, deputy governors, ministers, and key party stakeholders, effectively positions the zone as the first to openly rally behind Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Political observers say the development underscores the growing consolidation within the APC ahead of 2027, with the North Central seeking to leverage its strategic electoral weight in shaping the party’s national direction.

For now, the message from Lafia is unmistakable: the North Central has closed ranks—and its political machinery is being primed early for what promises to be a defining electoral contest.