The North-Central APC has launched a last-ditch campaign to reclaim the party’s national chairmanship ahead of Thursday’s decisive NEC meeting, framing it as a make-or-break moment for regional equity. In an urgent statement, forum chairman Saleh Zazzaga revealed the zone’s three non-negotiable demands: reinstatement of the original zoning arrangement (held by ex-chair Adamu until 2023), recognition of their 2023 electoral delivery (third-highest Tinubu votes), and acknowledgment of their current dominance (5/6 APC governors). The move directly challenges acting chairman Ali Dalori’s (North-East) interim leadership and tests Tinubu’s grip on regional power balances.
Why This Matters
• Tests Tinubu’s ability to manage competing regional interests pre-2027
• Could trigger defections if North-Central feels sidelined
• Sets precedent for power-sharing in Nigeria’s ruling party
Key Numbers
✓ 5/6 – APC-controlled states in North-Central (Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger)
✓ #3 – Region’s ranking in 2023 presidential votes for Tinubu
✓ 48hrs – Deadline before decisive NEC meeting
What Next?
→ Tinubu’s Move: President must choose between zoning loyalty and political expediency
→ Bloc Voting: North-Central governors expected to unite behind single candidate
→ Fallout Risk: Dalori’s North-East allies may resist surrender of acting role
