The North-Central All Progressives Congress Forum has nominated a former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, for the position of National Chairman of the party.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, said the endorsement followed extensive consultations among APC stakeholders in the North-Central region.
Titled ‘Why Al-Makura Deserves to be APC National Chairman’, the statement highlighted that Al-Makura hails from Nasarawa State—the same state as the recently removed National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
Al-Makura’s endorsement comes just 24 hours after the Forum demanded that the position of National Chairman be returned to the North-Central region.
According to the statement, under the APC’s zoning arrangement, the North-Central is allocated the National Chairman position, which led to the emergence of Adamu—also from Nasarawa State—during the party’s National Convention in March 2022.
However, Adamu resigned in July 2023 without completing his tenure, paving the way for the appointment of former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, in August 2023.
In backing Al-Makura’s endorsement, the Forum noted that he represents the Congress for Progressive Change bloc—one of the three legacy parties that merged to form the APC.
It pointed out that unlike the Action Congress of Nigeria and the All Nigeria Peoples Party, the CPC bloc has yet to produce a National Chairman for the party.
“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.
“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 unwavering loyalty to the APC and President Bola Tinubu, describing him as a dedicated and unifying figure capable of strengthening the party’s leadership and internal cohesion.
Further outlining reasons for his endorsement, the Forum pointed to Al-Makura’s extensive experience in discharging key party assignments, noting that such roles have equipped him with first-hand insight and deep knowledge of the APC’s operations nationwide.
The statement cited several significant responsibilities previously undertaken by Al-Makura, including chairing 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.
“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,” the Forum noted.
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.
Describing him as a “bridge builder and advocate for inclusivity,” the Forum highlighted Al-Makura’s connection to Nigeria’s disability community, which numbers over 20 million people.
“As someone living with a disability himself, he has been a strong ally of the community,” the statement concluded.
