Stakeholders from the North-Central zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are making a strong push for the Vice President slot in the 2027 general elections, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider a running mate from their region instead of the current Vice President, Kashim Shettima.
According to reports, these stakeholders are making their support for President Tinubu’s potential re-election contingent on him choosing his running mate from the North-Central zone. They argue that this move would address the perceived marginalization of their region in national leadership.
The North-Central APC stakeholders have reportedly commenced consultations with key political figures and former public office holders to gain support for their aspiration. Leading this initiative is the Chairman of the North-Central Renaissance Movement, Nghargbu K’tso, who heads the delegation advocating for the “return of the presidency” to their zone in 2027.
A statement released by K’tso to the press disclosed that a closed-door meeting was held on Saturday with prominent figures such as the former National Security Adviser, Gen. Aliyu Gusau (retd), the Onah of Abaji, His Royal Highness, Musa Yunusa, and a former lawmaker, Senator John Danboyi, among other undisclosed individuals. The purpose of these consultations is to build momentum and support for their agenda of having a North-Central candidate in the presidency, either as President or Vice President.
“The North Central is strengthening advocacy for the return of presidency to the zone come 2027 through high-level consultations with prominent figures in the geo-political zone and Nigeria at large,” the statement read.
The stakeholders are appealing for the cooperation of Nigerians to make their agitation a reality, emphasizing the need for the North-Central to be given the opportunity to lead at the highest levels, similar to other zones in Nigeria who have constitutionally produced both presidents and vice presidents. They assert that the North-Central has the capability and resources to lead rather than consistently being in a supporting role.
This development comes just two days after hundreds of stakeholders and party leaders from the North-Central region held a press conference where they collectively agreed to work towards producing the next President after claiming 65 years of marginalization. The current move to specifically target the Vice President slot indicates a strategic shift in their approach to gain greater representation in the country’s leadership structure come 2027.
